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Jonas M. was born on October 8, 1834, in Syracuse, New York, being the son of Zenith and Elizabeth (Mann) Church, both of whom died when he was but a child, after which his home was with his uncle, William Edward, in Green county, the same state, until he had arrived at the age of sixteen. He sought for wisdom in the common schools and then attended the Academy at Princeton, New Jersey, for two years after which period he accepted a position as clerk in a transportation company's office at Catskill, Greene county, New York. In 1852 he came via Panama to san Francisco, and soon was engaged in mining, operating in different parts of the state for ten years, and being crowned with good success, the substantial evidences of which afterward was lost. In May, 1862, he came in company with Captain William Martin and others to Oregon. Martin was an old pioneer of this state of 1847. Our subject gave his attention to mining and stock raising for a decade in different parts of Oregon, mostly on Granite creek, Umatilla county. He had charge of Camp Carson mines at the head of the Grande Ronde river, owned by Senator J.P. Jones, of Nevada. Eighteen hundred and seventy-nine marks the important date when Mr. Church came to the Grande Ronde valley, engaging in general merchandising in Island City with a Mr. Baer, the firm being known as Baer & Church, and from that time until the present it was destined that Mr. Church should be a leading figure in the upbuilding of two counties and a prominent organizer of industrial life here as well as manipulating largely the finances of the situation. His energies were continued with the firm until 1887, when he bought out the partner and organized the Mercantile & Milling Company, and also became one of the incorporators of the First national Bank of Island City the same year, then starting the town of Enterprise in Wallowa county, establishing the Mercantile & Milling Company's business there. He incorporated the Wallowa National Bank, being now president of the same and in 1889, he laid out the town of Wallowa and established the island City Mercantile Company's business there. All these enterprises were in his hands to carry forward, while also he was a principal stockholder in the M&M Co. In 1888, he was instrumental in removing the county seat from Joseph to Enterprise. In 1892, on account of failing health, he sold his entire interests in the Mercantile and Milling Company and removed to Lagrande, where he at once became interested in the Lagrande National Bank, of which he is principal stockholder and manager and cashier. This institution is one of the strong money concerns of eastern Oregon, having a capital of sixty thousand dollars, besides twenty-five thousand dollars surplus. The building holds one of the most important corners of the city of Lagrande and does a good business quite satisfactory to the stockholders. At present Mr. Church is president of the Republican state league, and is also a member of the board of regents of the State Agricultural College, and he is also a member of the Knights Templars. Mr. Church was elected mayor of Lagrande in 1899, and he performed the functions of that important office to the entire satisfaction of the substantial citizens of the town and the same position is being offered him at this time.

On May 7, 1874, Mr. Church married Miss Jane Pomery, in Umatilla county, and one child, William J., was born to this happy union. In 1876 death snatched his beloved companion from his side. There is not a man in the two counties to-day who is held in higher esteem by the people than is Mr. Church, and his exemplary life has justly entitled him to the enviable position that he holds.