My Genealogy Hound

EBENEZER JONES, one of the substantial old residents of Johnson County, is engaged in market-gardening on thirty-five acres of land on section 20. Like many of the best residents of this section, he was born in Davie County, N. C., March 6, 1827. His parents were Edmund and Ann (Lard) Jones, also natives of that state, the father’s birth occurring in 1794. He was a prominent man in his locality and a substantial farmer. In those days it was quite unusual to find a man in the common walks of life well educated, but Edmund Jones was an exception to this rule, and in consequence he was often called upon to instruct others. He died in Davie County in 1847.

Edmund and Ann Jones were the parents of thirteen children. They were John, James, Wiley, Samuel, Paulina, Ebenezer, Mary Ann, Amanda, Rebecca, George, Sarah, Jane and Rhoda. Of this large family only three are now living, the two besides our subject being George, who married Mary Edwards, and lives on a farm in the eastern portion of this county; and Jane, the widow of Samuel Winter, who lives in Vernon County, Mo.

Mr. Jones, of this sketch, was fairly well educated, and lived at home until his marriage with Miss Mary McCarter, which was celebrated March 23, 1849. This lady was born in Davie County, N. C, August 13, 1827, and was the daughter of James and Dorothy (Snyder) McCarter, also natives of that state, where they both died when Mrs. Jones was quite young. She was taken into the home of one of her sisters and remained until attaining womanhood.

For four years after his marriage our subject was employed as overseer on one of the large plantations of his native state, and at the end of that time moved with his family to Washington County, Tenn. There he rented property and lived for three years, when, thinking to better his condition, he became a resident of Greene County, Ill. There he was also a renter, but after a residence of four years in that locality he removed, on account of sickness, to Macoupin County, that state, and there the family continued to live for four years more. During that time Mr. Jones purchased forty acres of land, but, selling out in 1865, started overland for Missouri. He passed through Johnson County on his way to Kansas City, and remained in the latter place only one winter. The following spring he returned to this locality and rented what was known as the Finley Farm, which he cultivated with success for four years. He was very active in the organization of schools in the county and was elected President and Clerk of the first Board in the township.

Mr. Jones next became the occupant of the Dalton Farm, and after a residence there of eight months took up his abode on the place formerly owned by a Mr. Tyson. Two years later he bought forty acres southeast of that place, on section 28, which he improved and lived upon for the next ten years. He then sold his interests in that township and became traveling salesman for the Stark Nursery, in Louisiana, Mo., his territory lying in Johnson County. For four years he remained in the employ of this company and then he again began farming, renting land in this township. He lived on this tract for a year, when he became owner of his present place. He gives his attention to market-gardening and is thoroughly qualified for this branch of farm work.

To Mr. and Mrs. Jones there have been born three children: S. McFee, whose sketch will appear on another page in this volume; Mary Jane, Now Mrs. Joseph J. Fulks, living in this township; and Sarah Elizabeth, the wife of Parker Phillips, a farmer of this locality. Mr. Jones has never been an office-seeker, but is and always has been very much interested in the development of his community, particularly in the educational line. He has never missed attending court since coming to this locality and has served many times on the grand jury. He was a Republican in politics until the organization of the People’s party, for whose candidates he now votes. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and take an active part in church work.