My Genealogy Hound

Benjamin F. Jones, one of the most influential men in Mississippi County, and a man who, during his residence here has not only become one of the largest and wealthiest landholders, but is also connected with the well-known and prosperous mercantile firm of Ward & Jones, is a native of Illinois. His parents, James and Elvira (Henderson) Jones, were natives of Kentucky, and some time before the war the father, with his family, consisting of his wife and small children, moved to Illinois. There both parents died, the father in 1860 and the mother in 1868. In 1866 Benjamin F. Jones came to Mississippi County, Ark., and at the age of seventeen years commenced working on a farm, where he continued for several years. In 1869 he embarked in mercantile pursuits in Osceola, which he continued for about seven years, when, owing to financial difficulties, he sold out to his partner, the latter agreeing to pay all indebtedness, which he did in full. After this, for a number of years, he was engaged in planting cotton, at which he was very successful. About 1885 he bought the interest of L. Ward, of the firm of L. Ward & Son, located on Frenchman’s Bayou, and formed a partnership under the firm name of Ward & Jones. Since that time the firm has been very prosperous, their annual sales running from $40,000 to $50,000, and in connection they also carry on cotton planting quite extensively, the firm being the owners of over 2,000 acres of the rich land about Frenchman’s Bayou, which ranks among the most fertile tracts on the continent. They have about 300 acres under the plow, the remainder yet in timber, but each year they add greatly to their cleared land. Mr. Jones is the owner of over 1,000 acres in his own right, and stands among the foremost young business men in the county. He is always ready with open hand to encourage any legitimate enterprise, and is a benefit and an honor to any community in which his lot is cast. He is a member of McGavock Lodge No. 2754, Knights of Honor, located at Frenchman’s Bayou. He wedded Miss Nannie Ashburn, daughter of Jack Ashburn, one of the pioneers of the county, who came with his father from Kentucky when a boy, or in the year 1829. He died when his daughter Nannie was but a child. His wife was Mary Ball. Mr. and Mrs. Jones’ union was blessed by the birth of six children, all living, and the eldest about fourteen years of age. They are named as follows: Harry, Cora, Maud, Pearl, Annie, and Francis, an infant four months old. In all his ideas and tendencies Mr. Jones is progressive and enterprising, a useful member of society, personally and in business circles.