My Genealogy Hound

Dr. A. J. Jones, retired physician, but now a prosperous merchant of Franklin Township, Dent Co., Mo., was born in Williamson County, Tenn., April 8, 1838, being a son of William and Julia (Crosner) Jones, both of whom were born in the same county as their son, A. J. The father was of Irish descent, a farmer by occupation, and was born about 1808, and died in his native county December 8, 1837. The mother was born on the 7th of February, 1813, and is now residing in Obion County, Tenn. In December, 1839, two years after her husband’s death, she married Jackson Coleman, who died in Tennessee in 1886. Five children were born to her first union (all sons) and nine by her second. The maternal grandfather of A. J. Jones, Henry Crosner, was born in Williamson County, Tenn., in 1775, and died in 1865, having been a soldier all through the Revolutionary War. A. J. Jones made his home with his mother until sixteen years of age, and received a good education in the country schools of his native State. He then went to Kentucky, where he had a brother teaching school, and stayed with and went to school to him for two years. He then attended the high-school of Lebanon, Tenn., one term, shortly after beginning the study of medicine under Dr. A. V. Hawkins, and at the end of eighteen months entered the Medical University of Nashville, which institution he attended from January, 1859, to March, 1860. In the latter year he located in Fulton County, Ky., where he entered upon the practice of his profession, and the following year was married to Fanny Dodge, who was born in Christian County, Ky., May 18, 1833, being a daughter of Jarred and Sally Dodge, who were of German descent. The mother died December 11, 1888, at the home of Mrs. Jones, with whom she had made her home for many years. She was about eighty-one years of age. After Mr. Jones had practiced his profession in Fulton County for about two years, he moved to Union City, Tenn., locating in Rolla, Phelps Co., Mo., about three years later. Four years later he came to Dent County, locating on a farm, and also practiced his profession until 1882, since which time he has gradually given up his profession on account of ill health. In February, 1883, he opened a general mercantile store, in connection with a general line of drugs, and is doing a lucrative business. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been frequently solicited to accept various offices, but has invariably declined the honor. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.