My Genealogy Hound

John Jones, a leader in agricultural circles, and a popular citizen of Nevada County, was born in Franklin County, Ala., February 7, 1845, being a son of John and Delpha Catherine (Parham) Jones, both natives of Alabama. The father died in January, one month before the birth of our subject, in his twenty-sixth year, and his widow afterward married Mr. Osborn Whitehead, also a native of Alabama, and died since the war. John Jones was a farmer by occupation. The subject of this sketch remained with his mother until August, 1862, when he joined the Twelfth Mississippi Cavalry, Confederate service, in which he served until the close of the war, engaging in many battles and skirmishes. He was in the midst of the fight all the time in the Georgia campaign. He received a flesh wound in the right shoulder in a skirmish at Wyatt, Miss. At the close of the war he came to Arkansas, locating in what was then Hempstead County, now Nevada, where he has resided ever since. When he first started in life his sole capital consisted of a good constitution and a determination to make his way in the world. These he has made of such good use, in connection with industry and good management, that he now owns 340 acres of good land, with 140 acres under cultivation, and is one of the substantial farmers of this section. In 1882-83 he was in Prescott, settling up the estate of Capt. William Norman, of which he was administrator, after which he and Calvin Jones were in partnership in a general merchandise business at Prescott. In connection with his farming operations he has also dealt extensively in stock. January 13, 1870, Miss Alta Mira Norman, daughter of William Norman, of this county, became Mrs. Jones. She was born in Franklin County, Ala., in March, 1853, and by her union with Mr. Jones is the mother of five children, viz.: Ida C, Mary A., Minnie E., Annie and Ella. Two died in infancy, viz.: John and Albert. Mr. Jones is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, a member of the Alliance, and a Democrat. He is one of the enterprising citizens of Nevada County. When he first settled on his farm it was in the woods, but since then he has cleared it up and made it one of the best farms in the county. He has recently erected a neat and commodious residence, and has good barns, out buildings, etc.