My Genealogy Hound

Capt. James Boyden Jones, stock breeder and importer of fine stock was born in Surry County, N. C., July 13, 1838, and is the son of James and Annie (Felts) Jones. On the father’s side the first progenitor was Ronald Jones, a native of Wales, who had, in his early life, followed fishing, and later in life had located on a farm, by his son, Maj. John Jones, made a home and reared his family. James Jones, father of our subject, located in Rush County, Ind., and here James Boyden Jones grew to manhood on a farm and adopted agricultural pursuits as his life-long business. At the breaking out of the great civil conflict he enlisted his services in defense of the Union as a private in Company I, Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and rendered active and honorable service. At the battle of Stone River, Tenn., he was terribly wounded and left in a deplorable condition. After being in the general field hospital near Murfreesboro, Tenn., until almost well, he returned to his home and aided in recruiting Company M, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, and again entered the field as first lieutenant in 1863. He was a brave and gallant officer, and was mustered out September, 1865, at Indianapolis. In the latter part of 1864 he was captured by Forest, at Sulphur Branch, Ala., where he was seriously wounded by shot and shell. He left the service as captain of Company M, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry. In 1866 he removed to Ray County, Mo., and farmed there for several years. In 1883 he moved to Lawrence County, where he has since remained. He has given considerable attention to raising and dealing in stock. His inclinations were for fine stock raising, and with the opportunities this locality affords, he invested in fine cattle, and is doing well at this business. He married in Indiana, Miss Hester Reeve, daughter of Elder Benjamin F. Reeve, of the Christian Church of Rush County, Ind. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born four children: Charley R. (who died when five months, two weeks and one day old), one deceased in infancy, Ray (wife of John W. Taylor, of Peirce City), and Maud M., who lives at home. Mr. Jones is a member of the G. A. R., and he and family are members of the Christian Church.