Presley Jones

As printed in 1881

PRESLY JONES, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. South Charleston. The grandfather of this enterprising and successful farmer was Daniel Jones, a native of Delaware, of Welsh descent, who was married in his native State to Mary Allston, born in Philadelphia, of English and Irish parentage, whose father was a prominent merchant of that city when the Revolutionary war broke out, his wife being the daughter of an Irish nobleman. Soon after marriage Daniel and wife moved to Virginia, remaining there a few years, thence went to Pennsylvania, and about 1812, removed to Hamilton Co., Ohio, settling on the Little Miami River, and in 1816 came to Olark Co., and settled in the southern part of Harmony Township, where they remained until death, dying as they had lived, faithful members of the Baptist Church. They were the parents of thirteen children, viz., Enoch, John, Susan, Abel, Lewis, David, Levi, James, Margaret, Mary, and Isaiah; two died in infancy. Enoch, the father of Presley, was born in Delaware July 29, 1789, grew to maturity in Pennsylvania, and was married in Harmony Township, Clark Co., Ohio, July 29, 1818, to Rebecca Harvey, daughter of Andrew Harvey, a native of Maryland; she was born in Elkton, Md., Oct. 21, 1791, moved with her parents to Hardy Co., Va., and about 1817 came to Clark Co., Ohio, with her brother-in-law (James White and wife), where she married and ever afterward resided, her parents remaining in Virginia. Of this union were born six children, Maria, Margaret, Presley, A n A., Emma and Morgan, all of whom are living but the oldest.

Enoch lived on a portion of his father's farm until 1832, when he sold it and bought 300 acres of land on the line of Madison Co., a portion of it laying in both counties, and here he and his wife spent the balance of their lives, he dying March 2, 1852, his widow surviving him many years, dying Oct. 22, 1876, a sincere member of the Baptist Church, to which he also adhered, although never uniting with the church. Enoch Jones was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was under Hull, when that General cowardly surrendered Detroit to the English without firing a shot. Presley Jones was the third in the family, and was born on the old farm in Harmony Township, Sept. 19, 1824, grew to maturity in that and Madison Township, attending in his youth the district school, where he obtained an ordinary education. He was married in London, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1875, to Miss Louise Lemon, daughter of Milton and Sarah (Smith) Lemon, natives of Clark Co., Ohio, where he was born March 29, 1819, and his wife in December, 1817. His parents, John and Rebecca (Donaldson) Lemon, were natives of Virginia, who settled in Moorefield Township, before the war of 1812, where they remained until death. Dr. Milton Lemon completed the study of medicine in 1841, locating in Madison Co., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until 1861. He was elected on an Independent ticket to the 55th General Assembly of Ohio, in which capacity he did his duty faithfully as a legislator, and when addressing the house, his fine, many appearance, together with his fervor and animation, commanded the attention and respect of his cotemporaries. At the expiration of his term of office he was appointed as enrolling surgeon for the 7th District, serving until the close of the war. While at Columbus, he received a paralytic stroke from which he never fully recovered, dying April 24, 1878. His widow, who bore him eight children, five of whom are living, viz., Louise, Hlizabeth, Alice, Ida and Milton, is now residing in London, Ohio; his father, John Lemon, was a soldier under Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812. The old homestead in Madison Township was killed to Presley and his brother Morgan, but the subject of this sketch purchased his brother’s interest for $10,000, and is now the owner of 340 acres in the old tract, and 40 acres of timber close at hand. The historical * Ludlow line, has its starting point on his farm close to his residence, and the head-waters of the Little Miami River are partly located on his land. In politics, Mr. Jones is an unflinching Hepubliean, and all benefits find in him a hearty supporter; like most business men, he has had his *upsend down," but his standing to-day is that of an honest man, and leading farmer, who is respected by all classes.

J. M. JONES; P. O. South Charleston; was born Sept. 23, 1836. He is these of Isaac C. Jones, who was a Baptist minister living at West Jefferson, and was well known in Madison and Clark Counties as an evangelist and children’s friend. J. M. Jones served an apprenticeship in a dry goods store, but, having a desire for an education, he left the store and attended public school a short time. He got a certificate to teach school at the age of 17, and taught country school eight years. He taught winter terms several years, and attended school at Oberlin the rest of the year. He was in the junior class when the rebellion began. He, with three other brothers, responded to the President's first call for volunteers. The company was rejected, because more than 75,000 responded. J. M. went back to college, but his young brother, Isaac C. Jones, joined Co. C, 7th O. V. I. He was the last private joining the company, but was rapidly promoted, until he was commanding the company when killed in battle. The urgent call for volunteers in 1862 brought J. M. Jones into the army. He was in the service in the summer and fall in Kentucky, and was in. the battle at Richmond, Ky., when his regiment was all almost captured by Gen. K. Smith’s command. The regiment was paroled, and came back to Camp Chase, at Columbus, Ohio. No chance for exchange or active service, he resigned his position and accepted a call to take charge of the Public Schools at West Jefferson as Superintendent. During the second year the call for volunteers was so urgent that he left the schoolhouse for the army. He received a commission as First Lieutenant of Co. C, 154th O. V. I. The regiment went to Virginia, and was in active service. He served his time out, and perenne home. D ee a. Prope of James Pringle, Jr., of South Charleston, Sept.

;; ey have two children—Pringle C., age 13 years, and Ethel A., age 11 years. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church, having joined two years ago. J. M. Jones has been Superintendent of Carthage Sabbath school for ten years, and during that time about fifty persons have joined the Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal and Baptist Churches from that school. Thirty-one at one time were baptized. The school gave him a very handsome Bible with the names of the converted written in it. He was also chosen Superintendent of the Presbyterian Sabbath school at South Charleston in the year of 1869, and still holds that position. He has served his county as President of the Clark County Sunday School Union seven years. He has never grown tired in the work among the young people and children. His great desire and oe tae of soul is to see the children converted and with the children of God in the fold.

As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.