Thomas H. Jones

As printed in 1906

HOMAS H. JONES, the efficient treasurer of Allen County, is one of the best known and most popular public officials of the State. Mr. Jones was born February 18, 1835, in North Wales, a country which has contributed largely to America’s good citizenship. His parents were Josiah and Mary (Hughes) Jones.

Josiah Jones was a large woolen manufacturer prior to emigrating with his family to America, in 1850. He settled in the town of Gomer, Allen County, Ohio, where he engaged in an undertaking business and also carried on farming to some! extent. His death occurred there in 1887, at the age of 81 years, his wife surviving him until 1889. They had a family of eight children.

Thomas H. Jones was 15 years of age when Ohio became his home. After four months of school attendance at Gomer, he became a clerk in a village dry goods store and later worked in the same capacity at Columbus Grove, Ohio, where he was living at the time of his enlistment for service in the Civil War. He entered Company F, 118th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he served until his honorable discharge on July 9, 1865, after a service of three years, a portion of which time he was quartermaster of his regiment. Mr. Jones then returned to Gomer, where his parents were living, and, in September following, accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper for William Ashton & Company, at Lima, and thus continued with their successors, W. K. Boone & Company, who purchased the business in 1867. Subsequently he became an active partner in this firm, and remained in this connection for a period of 40 years.

Ever since attaining his majority, Mr. Jones has shown his devotion to the principles of the Republican party, and at various times has been called upon to fill positions of responsibility. In 1903 he was elected treasurer of

Allen County, a position in which his sterling integrity and close and careful attention to duty have won him the confidence of his fellowcitizens in the highest degree. On November 7, 1905, Mr. Jones was reelected county treasurer by a majority of 906 votes. He has always shown himself to be a public-spirited citizen, and on many occasions has thrown the weight of his influence in support of measures for the public welfare. He was elected a member of the Board of Education of Lima and served for six years, being president of that body for three years of this period.

In 1862 Mr. Jones was married to Susan Francis, a daughter of Ellis Francis, and they have five children, two of whom are also county officials, viz: Harry, who is deputy county treasurer, and Mrs. G. J. Pence, assistant county treasurer. Although Mr. Jones is in his 71st year, the infirmities of age seem to have no hold upon his vigorous faculties; in fact, with valuable experience, he combines the alert business qualities of far younger men, while his cheerful personality and thorough kindness of heart have won him the affectionate cognomen of “Uncle Tommy.”

Mr. Jones is an elder in the Market Street Presbyterian Church. He has always been interested in Sunday-school work, and frequently gives lectures before various bodies, which are very popular. He belongs to the Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R. of Lima, and finds a hearty welcome awaiting his attendance. His fraternal connection is with the Odd Fellows. Mr. Jones has a comfortable home at No. 519 West North street.

As printed in History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.