My Genealogy Hound

AZRO S. JONES, deceased, for many years one of the prominent and enterprising business men of Dowagiac, Cass County, Mich., and highly esteemed as a citizen of sterling integrity, was a native of Hopkinton, N. H., and was born July 12, 1823. His father, Jacob Jones, belonged to a highly respectable family in New England, noted for their strength of mind and decision of character. The wife of Jacob Jones, a most estimable woman, was in maidenhood Lydia Straw. She came to Michigan to live with her children, but died soon afterward at an advanced age, in 1862.

Azro S. Jones was reared in the New England home, and while yet a lad became a marine in the service of the United States navy. He sailed in the frigate “Savannah,” and during a period of four years visited nearly all the ports of the Old and the New Worlds. He was afterward transferred to the “Constitution” (“Old Ironsides”), and served as Corporal on this famous battleship during the Mexican War. After the term of his enlistment expired, Mr. Jones located in Lowell, and became a moulder in a large foundry, where he remained three years. During this time, in 1852, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Butterfield, a native of New Hampshire, born in Charlestown March 16, 1832.

Robert Butterfield, the father of Mrs. Jones, was also born in the State of New Hampshire, and was reared in his birthplace, Francistown. He was by occupation a farmer, but also engaged in buying wool. In common with many other patriotic friends and neighbors, he actively participated in the War of 1812. He was, politically, a strong Democrat, and a man of indomitable energy and perseverance. His wife, Betsey Tenny, was a daughter of an early resident of New England, the well-known Dr. Tenny. Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield were the parents of seven children, all of whom lived to reach the years of maturity, and two of whom yet survive: the widow of our subject, and Charles F. Butterfield, now residing in Lake Crystal, Minn., a prosperous miller.

After the marriage of our subject, he and his estimable wife remained in Lowell, but finally resolved to try the broader opportunities of the great West, and journeyed to far-off Illinois, settling in Kane County, where Mr. Jones purchased land and entered into agricultural pursuits. Mr. Jones made his home in Illinois but a brief time. In 1855 he removed to Michigan, and permanently located in Dowagiac, then a small village. Here he built the large white brick building, corner of Front and Commercial Streets, now owned by the Jewell estate, and entered into partnership with his brother, G. C. Jones, in the dry-goods trade.

The firm dealt largely in that line and also handled large quantities of wheat and wool. The business was prosperously continued for twenty-three years, and at the expiration of that time Azro S. Jones went into the grocery trade. Again honesty in dealing and correct business methods had their reward, and he was the recipient of a fine trade, until failing health compelled him to retire from the active duties of business life.

Two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones: Charles B., who is a resident of Chicago, and head book-keeper for Fraser & Chalmers; and Edwin D., shipping-clerk for the Round Oak Stove Works. Mr. Jones was originally a Republican, but “liberalized” with a great many other members of the grand old party in 1872 and voted for Greeley. He afterward became a thorough Democrat, was a firm believer in a policy of reconciliation between the North and South, and was an earnest advocate of the principles of tariff reform. Mr. Jones held various offices of public trust, but was not a politician of the modern school, and would consent to hold office only when the office sought the man. He was a member of the Board of Education, and several times a member of the City Council, taking an active part especially in all matters of local progress and educational advancement, he was one of the committee who visited Watertown, N. Y., in early days and purchased the first fire engine, considered an event at the time, for it was then believed Dowagiac had advanced from a village to a town.

Mr. Jones was one of the organizers of the Dowagiac Union Fair, and was its Treasurer. A public-spirited citizen, he was closely identified with all matters of public improvement and contributed liberally to all measures having for their object the development of the city and a better condition of its people. Faithful to his official work, he was also a valued member of the Universalist Church, and in fact was one of the organizers of the First Universalist Church of Dowagiac. He served as Deacon and was one of the Board of Trustees, giving generously in behalf of the church support. Mr. Jones entertained advanced ideas on the divinity of the Bible and the future destiny of man, but respected the opinions of those who differed in a religious way. Of limited education, he was nevertheless a man of broad ideas, well posted on the political and social topics of the day, and was an interesting talker on various subjects. He enjoyed the confidence of a large circle of friends, by whom he was deeply mourned, when, upon the 16th of April, 1890, he passed to his rest. The day of the funeral the business houses of Dowagiac were closed, and the city with one accord testified to the high regard and sincere respect in which Azro Jones was held by his fellow-townsmen. His widow still resides on the old homestead, endeared to her by the many memories of the past.