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.
From Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa (1912)
THOMAS M. JONES.
One of the popular, neighborly and public spirited families of the northwestern part of Jasper county is that represented by the subject of this biographical record, a people who look not to the accumulation of material wealth as the sole reason of existence, being content when they know that others have been made happy and that they have been of some service to humanity and the community in general.
Thomas M. Jones, of the vicinity of Baxter, was born in Fulton county, Illinois, March 11, 1854, where he grew to manhood and received his educational training and took up farming for a livelihood, which he has continued to follow to the present time. He came to Iowa in 1891 and has since remained here. He is the son of Washington and Elizabeth (Hurl) Jones, the former dying in Illinois and the latter, who was born August 26, 1825, is living at Ottumwa, Iowa, being now advanced in years. There were three children in the Jones family, namely: Joseph lives in Arkansas; the second, a son, died in infancy; Thomas M., of this review, is the youngest.
Thomas M. Jones grew up on the farm and was educated in the common schools. On February 21, 1875, he was united in marriage with Melinda E. Drummond, who was born in Vermillion county. Indiana, January 3, 1857. When six months old her parents took her to Illinois, where she grew to womanhood. She was the daughter of John and Eliza (Hasty) Drummond. The former, who was born in Indiana, enlisted for service in the Union army from Illinois, made a gallant soldier and died while in the service on August 10, 1865. The mother, born in 1834, died in Illinois in 1901. There were five children in the Drummond family, namely: Melinda E.. wife of Mr. Jones, of this review; Mrs. Mary Anderson lives in Canton, Illinois; Mrs. C. E. Beard also lives in Illinois; Mrs. Livona Coakley is residing in Independence township. Jasper county; Hubert lives in Seville. Illinois.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Politically, Mr. Jones is a Democrat. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Baxter, and both he and Mrs. Jones to the Yeomen at Collins and the Rebekahs at Baxter. This family is known for its hospitality and friendliness.
As printed in Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1912. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.