T. P. Jones

THOMAS P. JONES. Among the representative agriculturists of Licking County, to whose industry, perseverance and energy is largely due the high standing of the county as a rich farming locality, it would be impossible to omit mentioning the name of Thomas P. Jones, the well known farmer and stock-raiser of Union Township. He is also an efficient public official, and by successive re-elections has held the office of Justice of the Peace since 1870.

A native of this county, our subject was born in Newton Township, October 15, 1835. His parents, Evan and Elizabeth (Powell) Jones, were natives respectively of the North of Wales and the United States, the former born in 1703, and the latter in 1808. When a young man of twenty-eight, Evan Jones emigrated to America, reaching this country with an English shilling as his entire capital. After spending two years near Gettysburg, Pa., he came to Ohio, and was numbered among the early settlers of Licking County, where he married and engaged in farming. lie also worked at the trade of a brick maker for three years after coming to this country, in that way earning the money with which to make a payment on his land, and going into debt for the remainder of the property.

The parental family consisted of six children that attained maturity, and two that died in infancy. Our subject is the eldest of those now living, and is the only surviving son. Three of his sisters are unmarried and live in Newark, Jane, Sarah and Elizabeth. Jane has been a teacher in the high school of Newark for about twenty-six years; Sarah has been cashier for the mercantile firm of Prout Ar King for fifteen years, and Elizabeth is the housekeeper for the two first named. Ann is the wife of Harry Buckland, a prosperous farmer of Union Township. Hannah became the wife of Robert S. Wilson and lives in Winfield, Kan. The mother of these children died in 1852, and the father passed away in 18G5.

After completing the studies of the common schools Mr. Jones attended Denison University, and there qualified himself for teaching, which profession he followed for three years. However, his father’s failing health rendered it necessary for him to return home and assume the management of the farm. October 24, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Minerva J. Spangler, a native of Fairfield County, though at the time of her marriage a resident of Licking County. Her father, Solomon Spangler, is a farmer by occupation and resides near Pleasantville, Ohio; her mother died October 8, 1 8i* 2.

Mrs. Jones was born September 11, 1850, and is the eldest of eight children born to the union of Solomon R. and Mary Ann (Macklin) Spangler, natives of Fairfield County, the former born in 182G, and the latter in 1827. Of the other members of the family we note the following: Laura

Ellen is the wife of Ephraim Hancock, a resident of Union Township; William Theodore, a resident of Columbus, married Sarah Cupp and is employed as a conductor on the electric cars; Josiali Webster died of typhoid fever at the age of twenty-six years; Charles Henry married Mertie Spinny and resides in Roseville, Ohio; Thomas McClellan, a teacher by profession, is unmarried and lives with his father; Mary Irene is the wife of Henry lloskinson, of Hebron; Minnie May keeps house for her father.

Six children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, namely: Harry L, born September 27, 1879, now a student in the Newark schools; S. Guy, born September 7, 1881, also in school at Newark; Mary C., born June 28, 1883, and '1'. Edgar, born October 12, 1885, both in the Newark public schools; Laura May, born November 21, 1887, and Theodore Gale, January 31, 1893, who are with their parents. The four eldest children are receiving exceptionally good advantages for schooling, being with their aunt, who is a successful teacher in Newark.

The farm owned and operated by Mr. Jones consists of one hundred and twenty-seven acres in Union Township, upon which he engaged in raising grain and stock. He is interested in political affairs, and is a recognized leader in the Democratic party in the township and county. In 1870 he was first elected to the ollice of Justice of the Peace, and has since been chosen for each successive term, the completion of his present term being twenty-seven years. Other positions of trust he has also filled with credit to himself. Socially, he affiliates with Hebron Lodge No. 1 1G, A. F. A A. M., which lie joined in 18G3, and also belongs to Warren Chapter No. G, R. A. M., of Newark. With his wife he holds membership in tire Licking Baptist Church, and the three eldest children belong to the Newark Baptist Church.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in Memorial record of Licking County, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of representative citizens of the country, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.