My Genealogy Hound

James B. Jones is one of the pioneer citizens of Crawford County, having located here before the survey, and while Missouri was still a territory. As is well known, Indians were then numerous, and opportunities for religious or school gatherings were limited. In about 1831 he entered from the Government a tract of 160 acres, to which he has since added, and since then he has applied himself principally to farming, an occupation with which he has been acquainted since early childhood. Mr. Jones was born in Wayne County, Ky., in 1822, the second of fourteen children of Thomas and Cordelia (McDermont) Jones. His educational advantages in youth were meager, his studious habits in after years, however, having rendered him well-informed on all general subjects. In August, 1843, Miss Sophronia Province, daughter of Hiram and Rhoda Province, became his wife, and to them have been given fourteen children, five of whom died in early childhood, and four just after they had reached years of maturity. Those living are Hiram M., John W., Mary J. (wife of Henry Benton), Julia (now Mrs. N. A. Smith) and Cordelia (who married Thomas McDonald). Politically, Mr. Jones is a Republican. Himself, wife and children are all members of the Christian Church, lending their aid in all worthy movements tending to the betterment of the community in general.