My Genealogy Hound

IRA DANIEL JONES, an extensive farmer of Worthington and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Becket, Mass., March 13, 1842, son of Riley and Nancy (Snow) Jones. His father was a native of Becket, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He was a teamster in early manhood, but relinquished that occupation for the trade of a stone mason, which he followed through life in connection with farming. He was a Republican in politics and a highly esteemed citizen. Riley Jones died in the spring of 1892.

His wife, who was a native of Becket, became the mother of twelve children, as follows: George, who married Percy Oliver, and resides in Springfield, Mass.; Ira D., the subject of this sketch; Mary (deceased), who married Windsor Woodard; Washington (deceased), who married Adelia Prentice; Warren, who married Anna Mackey, and is also deceased; Hattie (deceased); Henry, who married Augusta Allen, and resides in Worthington; Etta, widow of Philip Bosquet, who resides in Becket; Frank, who married Ella Burrows, and resides in Cummington, Mass.; Laura, who died young; and two others who died in infancy. The mother died many years ago.

Ira D. Jones resided with his parents until reaching the age of seventeen, when he engaged in farming, and was thereafter employed by the month for several years. For a year previous to 1862 he worked in New Hartford, Conn.; and in September of that year he enlisted as a private in Company F, Nineteenth Connecticut Infantry, from which he was transferred to the Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He was present at the battle of Cold Harbor, and took part in several minor engagements, receiving in his left arm at the battle of Winchester a gunshot wound, which necessitated his confinement in the hospital. After remaining in Frederick City for a short time, he was taken to the military hospital in New Haven, Conn., where he stayed for two months, and was discharged June 4, 1865. He returned to New Hartford, where he was employed as a teamster for several months; and after that he and his brother George rented a farm in Becket, which they conducted in connection with lumbering until April, 1869, when they divided their interests. Mr. Jones then came to Worthington, and bought a farm. He has since added to his original acreage until he now possesses six hundred and fifty-five acres of land, and is one of the largest farmers in this region. He conducts an extensive dairy, keeps a large number of cattle and horses, and has made agriculture a success.

On March 9, 1868, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Sophronia Tucker, who was born in New Hartford, Conn., June 20, 1842, daughter of Nelson and Maria (Rust) Tucker. Mrs. Jones’s parents died in New Hartford. Her father was a prosperous farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have one son, named Edward Wesley, who was born December 12, 1870. He married Julia Griffin, resides in Worthington, and is in partnership with his father. In politics Mr. Jones has always supported the Republican party.