My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Dr. Walter D. Jones, Osceola. There are few men of the present day whom the world acknowledges as successful more worthy of honorable mention, or whose history affords a better illustration of what may be accomplished by a determined will and perseverance, than Dr. W. D. Jones. He was born in Newburg, N. Y., in 1842, and was the fifth of eight children born to Dr. William and Charlotte M. (Wheeler) Jones, the father a native of Shoreham, Vt., and the mother of New York. The paternal ancestors were of Welsh descent, and the maternal of German. Dr. William Jones began the study of medicine at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in his youth, secured his diploma, and has been a practicing physician for over fifty years. During that time he has risen to the position of one of the leading practitioners among the Eclectic school of physicians, and is well known in the profession throughout the length and breadth of the United States. He has held the office of president, treasurer, and has been one of the board of censors of the Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New York. He is now living in retirement at his fine home in Newburg, N. Y. Dr. Walter D. Jones passed his youth as a student in the public schools of Newburg, and naturally, perhaps, he evinced at quite an early age, a strong desire for the study of medicine, and a precocious ability for the practice of that profession. His greatest desire seemed to be to reach a proud position in the ranks of eminent medical men, with whom he has always been associated. He was solicited, in 1872, by the late Prof. R. S. Newton, Sr., professor of surgery in the Eclectic Medical College of New York City, to accept the chair of professor of anatomy. In 1878 he was proffered and solicited by Prof. Franklin, professor of surgery in the Homoeopathic College of St. Louis, Mo., to occupy the chair of surgery in that institution, but having a few days previous closed his contract with the A. L. Clum Medicine Company, declined. At the age of seventeen he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, remaining there one year, after which he entered the Jefferson Medical College, where he spent but one year, and then returned to the University. In 1861, after one year in the last mentioned institution, he enlisted as a private in the Third New York Infantry, and was detailed to the Hygeia Hotel Hospital, at Fortress Monroe. He was in the battle of Little Bethel, was then detailed to the Adams House Hospital, at Baltimore, Md., and later mustered out at Albany, N. Y. At the end of one month he enlisted in the Fifteenth New York Cavalry, and was soon sent to Virginia, where he was in all the fighting of the Shenandoah Valley; was in the battle of Port Royal, Lynchburg, Winchester, Sheridan’s raid from Winchester, Va., to the White House, Waynesboro, Dinwiddie Courthouse, Five Forks, Appomattox Courthouse, Clover Hill, and was present at Gen. Lee’s surrender, on April 9, 1865. He took part in the grand review at Washington, on the 23d of May, of that year, and was mustered out at Cloud’s Mills, Va., in July. That year he returned to Philadelphia, entered the University, resumed his studies and graduated in 1866. He subsequently returned to Newburg and engaged in the practice of his chosen profession with his father, continuing there two years. After this he was in Brooklyn two years, then in St. Louis four years, and then, in 1879, he came to Osceola, Ark. He discontinued the practice of his profession while in St. Louis, to accept a position with the A. L. Clum Medicine Company, of Red Wing, Minn., and came to Osceola in the interest of that company. Seeing a favorable opening, he located, and has remained here since, devoting his time entirely to the relief of suffering humanity. He has built up an extensive practice, and is one of the leading physicians of the county. He is of pleasing address and most agreeable manners, possessed of a mind clear, penetrating and comprehensive, thoroughly posted in his profession, and a practitioner of decided talent. He has bought a farm of 210 acres, fifty of which are under cultivation, and he is clearing up the remainder. The Doctor was married in 1868, to Mrs. Mary E. Wines, a native of Brooklyn, L. I. (at that time), and of English descent. She died in 1870, leaving one child, Edith Helen, who died in infancy. Dr. Jones took for his second wife Mrs. Frances Carrie Goff, a native of Georgia, and the daughter of William A. Goff, who followed the occupation of an architect. Mrs. Jones was a widow with one child, Jessie, when married to the Doctor. Dr. Jones is the only Eclectic practitioner in Mississippi County. He was chairman of the Republican executive committee for eight years, was president of the board of health for four years, was alderman four years, and has been United States deputy marshal. He affiliates with the Republicans in his political preferences, and is the leading member of his party in Mississippi County.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 162 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Mississippi County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Mississippi County, Arkansas family biographies here: Mississippi County, Arkansas Biographies

View a map of 1889 Mississippi County, Arkansas here: Mississippi County, Arkansas Map

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.