In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1847, Dodge county
From History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 (1909)
DAVID O. JONES.
For many years general farming and stock raising have commanded the attention of David O. Jones, who resides in Royal, Clay township, this county, where he bears the reputation of being an enterprising and up-to-date citizen as well as one of the most substantial and highly respected farmers. He was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, November 13, 1847, a son of Owen B. and
Anne (Edwards) Jones, the parents being natives of Wales. The father came to the United States in 1841 and located in Wisconsin, where he took up land and engaged in farming and in that state he is now living retired at the age of eighty-six years. Throughout his long life he has always supported the republican party, his allegiance to its principles being such that he has never had any inclination to become disloyal to his party. He is also gifted with the high religious nature common to the Welsh people, being a zealous Christian, and all his life he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was married in Wisconsin and his wife departed this life in the year 1893 in Columbia county, that state, where her remains were laid to rest. They reared a family of six children: John O., a farmer of Howard county, Iowa; Edward O., who follows the same pursuit in Fillmore county, Minnesota; Owen O.. a carpenter of Dodge county, Wisconsin; Ann, who became the wife of Robert LewMS, a farmer of Fillmore county, Minnesota; Mary, wife of John Williams, who lives on a farm in Columbia county, Wisconsin; and David O., the subject of this review.
After acquiring his education in the district schools o'f Dodge county, Wisconsin. David O. Jones remained at home with his father and assisted in the duties of the farm for about four years when he repaired to Louisa county, Iowa, and there engaged in farming for one year. In 187 1 he came to Clay township, this county, where he took up eighty acres in section 18, cultivating this land until 1890, when he removed to his present farm of four hundred acres in sections 18, 8 and 7.
His property is highly improved, composed of the best quality of soil, provided with two sets of substantial buildings and is acknowledged to be one of the finest farms in Clay township. He and his son are the owners of a quarter section in Murray county, Minnesota. He devotes most of his acreage to producing hay and grain but also pays some attention to stock raising, keeping on hand some of the best breeds of horses and cattle, feeding the latter for marketing.
In March of the year 1873, he wedded Miss Rachael Williams, a native of Louisa county, Iowa, and a daughter of Richard and Anne (Arthur) Williams, natives of Wales, her father having come to the United States at an early date. He settled in the county of her nativity and remained there actively engaged in farming until his death. Her mother, who still lives in Louisa county, Iowa, came to this country when she was thirteen years of age and was twice* married, the first time to Richard Williams, by whom she had two daughters: Mary, wife of Hupling Richard, an agriculturist of Louisa county: and Rachael, the mother of Mrs. Jones. To her second union were born: William, of Colorado, where he operates a ranch; and Lewis, a banker of Louisa county, Iowa; and one daughter, Jane, who became the wife of John Pugh, a ranch owner of Carson county, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Jones had three children, two of whom died in infancy. The son, John O., married Celia Richards. In politics Mr. Jones gives his allegiance to the republican party, to which he has been loyal since casting his first vote and he has served for the past eight years as trustee of Clay township. He is a man of high morals and noble purposes, and considering his religious obligations his first duty in life, he and his wife attend divine services at the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are liberal supporters. TMr. Jones is an energetic man, having always been inspired by the spirit of progress, and his long years of success and his present prosperity are due to his own exertions.
As printed in History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1909. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.