My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM E. JONES, a successful farmer and stock-raiser residing on the Josephine Nevin farm, was born in Path Valley, Franklin Co., Pa., Sept. 25, 1861, son of Jennings L. and Elizabeth (McDonald) Jones.

Samuel Jones, grandfather of William E., was an early settler of Cumberland county, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He married a Miss Rebald, whose father was born in Scotland. The McDonalds were also of Scotch extraction.

Jennings L. Jones was born in Path Valley, in February, 1825, while his wife was born in the same place in 1829. After marriage, they settled on the Samuel Jones farm and engaged in farming for some time. The following children were born to them: A. Franklin, of Huntingdon, Pa.; Louisa, who married Daniel Reeder; Edna, who married Henry Motter, of Clearfield county, Pa.; William E.; Jessie and James, both deceased; Laura, who married Lafayette Lindsey, and resides in Clearfield county; Robert K., also of Clearfield county; J. Elmer, engaged in mining in Clearfield county.

William E. Jones received his primary education in the district schools in Path Valley, Franklin county, leaving school when he was in his seventeenth year. He returned to the farm, and assisted his father until he attained his majority, at which time he began working in an ore bank, in what is known as the Carrick furnace in the Tuscarawas mountains, and there he continued until 1877, when he began farming and stockraising.

In 1883 Mr. Jones married Miss Jennie Johnson, of Path Valley, daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Seitz) Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was born in Path Valley, where she spent her girlhood and was married. In 1896, Mr. Jones moved to his present farm, which is known by the name of the Josephine Nevin farm, which for many years had been the home of Mrs. Jones, and which was originally called the Waverly place. This farm consists of 204 acres, upon which is a large, comfortable stone edifice, surrounded by forest trees and pines, making an ideal home. In the rear are numerous out buildings and a large bank barn. On this farm Mr. Jones is engaged in farming and stockraising, and also conducts a small dairy. His farm being of a lime stone soil, it is well adapted to wheat raising, and he produces from 800 to 1000 bushels annually. He milks from eight to ten cows, and all of his operations are conducted upon scientific methods.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones have one child, Mary, who recently married L. H. Kessler, and the young people live with her parents. In politics Mr. Jones is a very strong Republican, and for two years he served his party as tax collector, was auditor of Shippensburg township, and in 1903 he was elected a member of the school board. In religious matters he and his wife are consistent members of the United Brethren Church, of which Mr. Jones is steward, and to which he is a liberal contributor. Mr. Jones is a man widely known and deeply respected, and he and his wife have many warm personal friends, all of whom they cordially welcome at their delightful home.