William D. Jones

As printed in 1910

WILLIAM D. JONES.

William D. Jones is a retired farmer, making his home in a comfortable residence in Colona, which he purchased in December, 1908. In former years, however, he led a very busy and active life on the farm, so that the rest which he now enjoys is well merited. Mr. Jones is a native of Canada, born on a farm in Pickering township, near Ontario. He is a son of Isaac Jones, who was born in the Empire state. He was a shoemaker by trade, also engaged in farming. He journeyed from New York, his native state, to Canada and was there united in marriage to Mrs. Susanna Millard, who bore the maiden name of Snyder. Like her husband, she was a native of New York. She had a son by her former marriage, John Millard, who served in the Civil war, being a captain in the Confederate army. He was killed in battle. She also had two sons, Charles and George Jones, who served in the Union army, being members of a Michigan regiment. Charles was also killed in battle but George served throughout the war and lived for many years thereafter, his death occurring in the Soldiers Home at Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his remains were interred. It will thus be seen that the half brother, Mr. Millard, was their antagonist during that great struggle but the fact was not known at the time.

William D. Jones was reared on the home farm in Canada and was educated in the district schools. In 1866, when a young man of twenty-two years, he crossed the border into the United States, making his way direct to Kewanee, Illinois, where for a time he was employed at whatever he could find that would yield him a living. His principal work, however, was driving teams. After a few months he went from that city to Green River with a drove of fifteen hundred sheep for O. A. Gilbert, with whom he remained for several months. He later found employment with various farmers of the neighborhood and was then with the Mineral Creek Coal Company for one winter. During the following summer he worked at farm labor in Edford township and in the winter again returned to the Mineral Creek Coal Company, with which he remained two years. It was about this time that he established a home of his own by his marriage, and subsequently he removed to Cleveland, Henry county, where he worked at carpentering and mining for about three years. It was about this time that he decided to make farming a permanent vocation and to this end he took up his location on a tract of land in Western township. After a residence of three years in Western township he spent one year on a farm in Colona township. During all these years he had carefully saved his earnings and worked diligently from early morning until late at night and through these methods he acquired a sum which justified him in making purchase of eighty acres in Colona township. He paid but ten dollars per acre for this land but it was not long until, owing to the improvements which Mr. Jones placed upon it in the way of buildings and the care he gave to the soil, it was worth many times the amount he paid for it. This proved the basis of his later success and in due time he added ninety-three acres to his original purchase, so that the place now comprises one hundred and seventy-three acres in Colona township. For many years Mr. Jones was identified with the cultivation of this farm. He also gave much attention to stock-raising, keeping the best grades of cattle and hogs, which commanded high prices on the city markets. For many years he was likewise engaged in breeding thoroughbred French coach horses, making a close study of this breed of animals and becoming; a recognized authority on the subject. Mr. Jones was thus actively engaged until December, 1908, when he put aside the more arduous cares of business pursuits and removed to Colona. His life has been a success but it is that success which comes of earnest and unremitting toil, guided by sound judgment and the capable control of all business affairs.

The 8th of May, 1869, witnessed the marriage of Mr. Jones and Miss Anna Anderson, a daughter of Andrew and Martha (Anderson) Anderson, The daughter was born in Sweden, March 1, 1849, and accompanied her parents to America in August, 1852, the family home being established on a farm near New Boston, Mercer county, Illinois, where Mr. Anderson engaged in farming throughout his remaining years, passing away December 5, 1878. The mother still survives at the advanced age of eighty-six years. She is still active and in the fall of 1909 made a trip to Polk, Nebraska, to visit a son, John H. Anderson.

The marriage of Mr, and Mrs., Jones has been blessed with seven children, as follows; Anna, the wife of Daniel McGraw, a farmer of Colona township; Mabel, the wife of Josephus S. Evans, a resident of East Moline, Illinois; Carrie, the wife of Clarence Garland, a resident farmer of Colona township, who is mentioned in this work; Manville, who died June 11, 1892, leaving a widow and one daughter, who make their home in Colona; Clarence E., of Silvis, Illinois; Lucinda, the wife of Howard Williams, of Colona township; and Wesley D., who operates the old homestead farm.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr, Jones has supported the republican platform and he has always kept well informed on political questions. For thirteen years he served as justice of the peace but resigned the office when he took up his above in Colona. He has also been road commissioner, while for fourteen years he served as school director, the cause of education and good schools being one of deep interest to him. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as steward and as class leader. He is also acting as superintendent of the Sunday school, in which Mrs., Jones is a teacher. She is also identified with the Laaies Aid Society and both are deeply interested in each and every department of church work. No man is more respected and no man more fully enjoys the confidence of the people or more richly deserves the esteem in which he is held. The people, recognizing his merit, rejoice in his advancement and in the honors to which he has attained. Honorable in business, loyal in citizenship, charitable in thought, kindly in action, true to every trust that has been confided to his care, his life is the highest type of Christian manhood.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.