My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM L. JONES, a native of the township in which he now resides (Penn), and a son of a family whose history was identified with the State in earlier days, is one of the wide-awake, enterprising tillers of the soil and one whose energy and industry have had much to do with his success thus far. Mr. Jones first saw the light of day August 9, 1859, and was the only living child born to the union of William and Maria (Parrish) Jones.

William Jones, Sr., is a native of Ohio, born in Preble County in 1813, and like most of the native-born residents of that State, he has ever been thrifty and progressive. Although past the allotted age of man, this much-esteemed and worthy citizen still survives and is m the enjoyment of comparatively good health. He finds a comfortable and pleasant home with his son, our subject, and is now passing the sunset of his life in peace and plenty. He was the son of Charles Jones and the grandson of George Jones, both of whom were originally from the State of Georgia.

George Jones, the great-grandfather of our subject, remained in his native State until after his marriage and until after the birth of one of his children, when the rich and productive soil of the Buckeye State tempted him Westward. This was at a very early period and the little family made the journey on horseback, reaching Preble County in safety after many adventures and exciting incidents. He erected a gristmill in that county and for many years carried on a flourishing and paying business. Being one of the early settlers of that county, he understood thoroughly all the privations and disadvantages of pioneer life.

His son, Charles, was reared to mature years in Preble County, but instead of milling he preferred the independent life of a farmer and followed that occupation all his life. About November, 1829, he emigrated to Cass County, Mich., and there continued his former occupation of tilling the soil. He was one of the first settlers of that county and there passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1861, when seventy-one years of age. The mother of our subject was born in the Empire State, but died in Cass County, Mich., May 7, 1885.

The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in his native county and he was early initiated into the duties of farm life. The fundamental principles of education were instilled into his young mind in the common schools, also in the schools at Richmond, Ind., and in Bryant & Stratton’s Business College of Chicago. It was no doubt owing to his early training that, when starting out to fight his own way in life, he selected agricultural pursuits as his chosen calling and has followed this ever since.

In 1885 our subject was married to Miss Estella Barney, a native of La Porte County, Ind., and the daughter of Emory A. and Harriet (Collins) Barney, the former born in Van Buren County, N. Y. Both Mr. and Mrs. Barney died at an early day. To our subject and his wife have been born six children: Nellie E., Charles V., George B., Kittie L., Gertrude M. and Frank B. Mr. Jones has held the office of Township Treasurer and has held other local positions. Politically, he inclines to the platform of the Democratic party and his first Presidential vote was cast for Hancock. His father’s first vote was cast for Van Buren. Of late years Mr. Jones has affiliated with the Prohibition party. He has a fine farm of four hundred acres, located three and a-half miles east of the county seat, and is one of the substantial men of the county.