John W. Jones

John W. Jones and Wife and their Children and Grandchildren.

    About twenty-five years ago, after he had grownup in Grant County, had a practical experience on a farm, and had by hard work and close economy acquired a little capital. John W. Jones bought the land contained in his present homestead on Section thirty of Jefferson Township. Mr. Jones is a prosperous man, owns a fine farm, runs it in a business-like way, and is not only a man of independence and standing on his own ground, but anywhere in that community is looked upon with the esteem and respect which are paid to a citizen whose relations with his community have always been on a high plane of honor and integrity.

    This branch of the Jones family was established in Grant County many years ago by Joshua Jones, father of John W. Joshua was the son of Lewis Jones, who lived and lived in Ohio, was twice married, and had children by both wives. Joshua Jones, a son of the first marriage of his father, was born ion Greene County, Ohio, March 31, 1819, and grew up on his father's farm. When he was about twenty years of age he crossed the state line into Indiana, and being a young man without capital, he found employment among the farmers of Blackford County, for several years. then moving into Jefferson Township of Grant County, he bought some land, most of it located in the wilderness which still covered most of this region, and by hard work cleared up and made a good farm. That was his home for nearly sixty years, and at his death in August, 1909, he was able to look back upon a lifetime of industry and gratifying accomplishment. He was a Democrat, and a member of the  Methodist Episcopal Church. Joshua Jones was married in Jefferson Township of Grant county to Miss Malinda Owings, who was born in Ohio, and came with her father, Nicholas Owings, when a young child to Jefferson Township. Mrs. Joshua Jones died on the old homestead in Jefferson Township in 1905. She was an active member of the Methodist Church. There were nine children, eight of whom she reared to adult age, and one Mary J., died in young womanhood. Those living are as follows:

  1. Harriet, the widow of Michael Houck, lives at Upland, without children.

  2. Lydia, is the widow of Edwin Fergus and lives in California, having a son and a daughter.

  3. Lewis M. is a farmer of Jefferson Township and has four daughters, all of whom are married.

  4. John W.

  5. George W. is a retired farmer, and conducts a feed store in Upland, is married and has two daughters, both of whom in turn are married.

  6. Thomas Lee lives in Jonesboro, and his son is married

  7. Sarah E. is the wife of William Ginn, a farmer in Jefferson Township, and they are the parents of two sons.

    John W. Jones was born in Jefferson Township, June 20, 1851. As a boy he saw much that was characteristic of pioneer life, and within his youthful recollection the first railroad was built through Grant County. His education was acquired in the district schools, and his home was with his parents until he reached manhood. As already stated, in 1887 he bought eighty acres of his present place, and he now owns one hundred acres of highly improved and well cultivated land. With the passing o years he ahs introduced many improvements, and in 1903 erected the comfortable and substantial nine-room house, a fine white building, which makes an attractive picture in the midst of the shade and fruit trees surrounding it. Mr. Jones is a stock grower, and keeps livestock of only the better grades on his place.

    In Fairmount Township in 1877, occurred the marriage of John W. Jones and Terissa Moorman. Mrs. Jones was born in Fairmount Township, August 18, 1849, and her home has been in grant county with the exception of three years, spent in Illinois and Iowa. Her parents are Leis and Sarah Moorman, and the Moorman family long prominent in Grant county, received full treatment in the sketch of Levi Moorman, found elsewhere on these pages. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of seven children, named as follows:

  1. Gertrude, wife of Esley Thorn, farmers of Delaware County, and with one daughter, Geneva

  2. Oscar, who lived at home and helps run the farm and is unmarried

  3. L. J., a farmer in Missouri, who married Mina Johnson, and has a daughter, Mildred P.

  4. Eva, wife of Clyde R. Partridge, of Fowlerton and has one child, Myron.

  5. Minnie died in early childhood

  6. Frank died in early childhood

  7. Lora B., who was well educated in the township schools, and now lives at home.

Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.

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