My Genealogy Hound

S. McFEE JONES is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and has been particularly successful in raising grain. He is very industrious and energetic, and by these qualities has won the prosperity he now enjoys. His estate is pleasantly located in township 45, range 25, Johnson County, and is one of the best improved in the locality.

Mr. Jones is a native of North Carolina, having been born in Knox County, January 23, 1851. His parents were Ebenezer and Mary (McCarter) Jones, also natives of that state, where they were well-to-do farmers. Three years after the birth of our subject they moved to Tennessee, and there prosecuted their chosen vocation for two years. They sold out their interest at the end of that time and lived in Greene County, Ill., on a rented farm. A twelvemonth later they changed their location to Macoupin County, that state, where the father purchased a tract of eighty acres, located within six miles of Carlyle. On this he made many improvements in the way of buildings, besides setting out an orchard, and lived there for eight years.

The father of our subject, having heard much about the good farming regions of this state, concluded to try his fortune here, but finding that land sold for only $5 and $10 per acre, was afraid to purchase, and accordingly was a renter for several years. He first went to Westport, Jackson County, remaining there for two months, when he moved his family to Kansas City and there passed the winter. During the short time spent there he was employed in freighting from Kansas City to Wyandotte, as the railroads in that vicinity were not then completed.

The spring after coming to Missouri, Ebenezer Jones came to Johnson County and rented the place known as the Jones Farm, located near the present estate of our subject. For two years he occupied this estate, and then became a resident on property one-half mile north. His next change was made to a forty-acre tract of his own, which was located on section 28. This he improved and lived upon for eleven years, when he sold out and went to Warrensburg, making his home there for two years. He then occupied the Greer Farm, and one year later moved to his present place of thirty-five acres on section 20. This place he devotes to market-gardening.

Our subject was the eldest of the parental family of three children. His two sisters are Mary the wife of J. J. Fulks, who lives in this township; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Parker Phillips a resident of section 34, of the above township S. McFee was nineteen years of age when he began in life for himself His first work was to rent a tract of land located just south of where he now lives and known as the Wilson Farm. On this he lived for two years, and while there was married, October 30, 1871, to Miss Mahala Burnell, who was born in this county, November 28, 1853. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Jennings) Burnell, natives, respectively, of Boone and Howard Counties, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Burnell were married in Johnson County and are now living on the Post Farm on section 20. The father is well known throughout the county, having taken an active part in all leading movements for the good of the community. He reared a family of four children, of whom Mrs. Jones was the eldest. Isham married Cornelia Frost, and now resides a quarter of a mile south of our subject’s place, on section 18; Elvina became the wife of Thomas Bowles, and is at present living with her father; John A. is unmarried, and also resides under the parental roof

Directly after his marriage our subject moved to his present place, having purchased forty acres of the same from his father-in-law. In addition to this he owns twelve and one-half acres of fine timber-land in another portion of the township. His place is well improved, and under his efficient management is made to yield good crops.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones have two children: Ella, born April 10, 1879; and Paul M., born May 10, 1894. The wife and mother is a member of the Christian Church, and is interested in its work and success. In politics our subject is a Third Party man. He has never held office. with the exception of serving as a member of the School Board, which position he is now occupying.