My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. JONES. Without the confidence of the public the fate of a bank is sealed. In order to inspire trust there must be solid capital and officials of established reputation. Minor institutions spring up, employing outward show of wealth, and thereby deceiving the simple, but solid, reliable business men are not taken in by outside sheen and bold pretense. They demand the evidences of resources and liabilities and the character of these. Knowing the foundation to be secure, then they confidently entrust their money and repose faith in the efficiency and honesty of those having charge.

There is something refreshing and inspiring in contemplating an institution like the Exchange Bank at Marcellus, for it is one of the most conservatively conducted financial institutions of Cass County. The owner and proprietor, George W. Jones, is an honorable and careful man and one who is very popular and respected in financial and social circles. He has a large burglar-proof safe of the very latest improved pattern, and the vault is fire proof. The bank is in a very flattering condition, as is shown by Mr. Jones’ books at the close of business June 30, 1893.

Resources.
Real Estate, $63250.00
Farm Products, 1700.00
Live Stock, 900.00
Loans on Real Estate, $25015.06
Loans on Collateral, 14471.97
Other Loans and Discounts, 40722.24 80209.27
Stocks and Bonds, 500.00
Safe, Furniture and Fixtures, 1800.00
Due from other Banks, $7769.05
Checks and other Cash Items, 1176.20
Gold Coin, 1842.50
Silver Coin, 579.49
Legal Tenders, Bank Notes and Coin Certificates, 5082.00 16449.24

Total, $164808.51

Liabilities.
Specified Time Deposits, $42366.48
Call Certificates of Deposit, 11971.54
Deposits subject to Check, 13770.74
Bills Payable, 2000.00
Net Worth, 94699.75

Total, $164808.51

Courteous and attentive officials and clerks afford ready service upon such as may have business with the bank, and every possible care is taken that everything shall be dispatched without delay, yet thoroughly.

Mr. Jones is a product of the Buckeye State, born in Preble County April 3, 1824, and comes of Welsh extraction on the paternal side, his great-great-grandfather having left that country for this at a very early period. George Jones, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Georgia, as was also the father of our subject, Henry Jones, whose birth occurred about 1790. The grandfather married Miss Lydia Hopson, and reared his family in Ohio, to which State he came in 1807. He left a large family of children. His son Henry was about seventeen years of age when he moved with his parents to Ohio, and he was there married to Miss Hannah Green. Following his marriage he located in Preble County, Ohio, and was one of the early settlers there. Agricultural pursuits were his principal occupation, and he became one of the foremost farmers. About 1830 he moved to Michigan, settled in Penn Township, Cass County, and entered and bought large tracts of Government land, owning at the time of his death between eight and nine hundred acres. He brought a large amount of fine stock with him to Cass County, and they had a hard time to live through the first winter. There were few farmers in the township at that time, timber covered the face of the country, and Mr. Jones and family fully realized the privations and hardships experienced by early settlers.

Twelve children were born to his marriage, but only three besides our subject are now living, a daughter and two sons. Esther, widow of John Nixon, resides at Marcellus; Amos resides two miles north of Cassopolis; and Phineas resides on Young’s Prairie. Those deceased were named: Lydia, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Phoebe, Hannah, Henry, Abigail and Jesse. The father of these children was reared among Quakers and was a man of more than ordinary intelligence. Formerly a Whig in politics, later in life he voted the Democratic ticket and affiliated with that party until his death, which occurred in March, 1851. He was a fine man physically, large and well proportioned, and very seldom ill. For one term he was County Commissioner and he also filled the office of Township Supervisor, as well as other township offices.

George W. Jones was about six years of age when he came with his parents to Cass County, Mich., and in this county he received a limited education in the common schools. Much of his time in youth was passed in assisting his father clear the farm, and most of his education has been received by reading and experience. Deer and other wild animals abounded at that time, and Indians were common. On the 24th of December, 1853, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma B. Sherman, daughter of Elias B. Sherman. The latter came to Michigan at an early date, was Judge of the Probate Court for some time, and helped to lay out the town of Cassopolis. He became the owner of two hundred acres of land, and was an influential citizen. Mrs. Jones was born in Cassopolis and died at her home in Marcellus in 1870.

Our subject’s second marriage was to Miss Lizzie Osborn, daughter of Nathan Osborn, who was a real-estate dealer, and one of the pioneers of St. Joseph County, Mich. He was Circuit Judge of that county and held other positions of importance. He was a native of Connecticut, but his daughter, Mrs. Jones, was born in St. Joseph County, Mich., and received her education there and at South Bend, Ind. After his first marriage, Mr. Jones located on Young’s Prairie, purchased and inherited from his father’s old farm one hundred and sixty acres of timber and prairie land, and remained on this until 1867, when he moved to Cassopolis. Later he came to what is now Marcellus, bought a farm of two hundred and eleven acres, the present site of that town, and he and a few other gentlemen laid out this place. Mr. Jones then engaged in a real-estate business and was also engaged in buying and shipping live stock. The latter he still follows. In 1877 he established the G. W. Jones Exchange Bank of Marcellus, and this bank has ever retained the confidence of the public in the highest degree and is in every respect a model financial institution. Mr. Jones is now the owner of over seven hundred acres of land, most of which is in a fine state of cultivation, besides considerable valuable village property.

Four children have been born to this union; Frank S., who is engaged in the lumber business; Carroll S., Cashier of the bank, married to Miss Bessie, daughter of Andrew F. Caul, a prominent farmer and Supervisor of the township; Henry Bert, now in his father’s bank; and Vera May, who is attending the school at Marcellus. Politically, Mr. Jones is a Democrat. He is a strong temperance man and takes a great deal of interest in that movement. He built the large, handsome residence where he now lives in 1886, at an expense of about $5,000, which has a hot-air furnace, and hot and cold water in every part of the house. To make it still more pleasant and cheerful, there are three grates, and as it is furnished with taste and good judgment, no pleasanter home can be found in the county. In 1890 he built the large stone-front bank building which he now owns. It is supplied with hot and cold water, is finished in hard wood, and is one of the finest, for the size of the town, of any in the State.