JONES, William Clark - 1890 Bio (1809-1898)

JONES, VAUGHAN, VAUGHN, YOUNG, JOHNSON, MILLER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/11/2007 at 21:52:49

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 301-302

William C. JONES, one of the honored pioneers of Jefferson County, came to Iowa during its Territorial days, having since 1845 been identified with the history of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties. From his earliest residence in this community he was reognized as one of the leading spirits. A friend to all worthy enterprises he gave liberally in support of public interests calculated to benefit the community, and was especially earnest in his efforts to advance the cause of education.

Mr. JONES was born in Surrey, N. C., July 9, 1809, and is a son of Horatio JONES. The American branch of the family was founded in Maryland, and was of Welsh origin. When a lad of six years, Mr. JONES accompanied his parents, who removed to Southwestern Virginia, where he grew to manhood, and on the 20th of February, 1831, was united in marriage with Permelia A. VAUGHAN (sic - VAUGHN), who was descended from an early Virginian family of English origin, her parents being William K. and Elizabeth VAUGHAN. In December of the same year, accompanied by his young bride, Mr. JONES emigrated to Johnson County, Ind., where he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He also became one of the prominent citizens of that community, and served in many official capacities, holding the offices of County Assessor, County Commissioner, Collector, Sheriff, and United States Census Taker of that county in 1840. Once more he determined to cast his lot with the pioneer settlement, and carrying out his resolution, arrived in Jefferson County on the 31st of March, 1845. Locating in Cedar Township, he entered government land, and subsequently entered and sold various tracts in that community. He made his home in Cedar Township until 1851, when he removed to a farm near Fairfield, and in 1864 took up his residence in Round Prairie Township. Three years later he abandoned farm life, and removing to the village of Winchester, in Van Buren County, he embarked in the mercantile business, which he continued until 1876. Changing his place of residence from Winchester to Fairfield in that year, he then retired from active business life, and has spent the succeeding years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

Mr. JONES lost his wife by death in 1889, she passing away on the 18th of October of that year. Their family numbered six children, five sons and a daughter, all born in Johnson County, Ind. Isaac D. married Miss Rachel E. YOUNG, who was also a native of Johnson County; he is now engaged in the practice of law. William H. married Miss Rachel E. JONES, a distant relative, and for a time engaged in farming, after which he engaged in the drug business until his death, in September, 1882; Cornelius A. married Emeline E. YOUNG, and is now a resident of Fairfield, where he has carried on the drug business since 1867; Martin Van Buren, who wedded Miranda V. JOHNSON, served in the Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry until severely wounded at the battle of Champion Hills, Miss., after which he returned home and died in April, 1881; Dr. Wiley A., a practicing physician of Cantril, Van Buren County, wedded Althea (sic - Altha) MILLER. Elizabeth R. died in 1864, unmarried; she was the youngest of the family.

In 1850 Mr. JONES was elected School Fund Commissioner, which office he held for two terms, and was United States Census Taker of the east half of the county in 1860. As before stated, he has labored for the interests of the county in which he has long made his home, and by concentrated effort, supplemented by good judgment, has borne no inconsiderable part in the great progress which has taken place during the past forty-five years. In his business affairs he was also successful, and by his upright dealing and courteous treatment to all, won a liberal patronage and secured the confidence of all with whom he came in contact. In political sentiment he is a conservative Democrat. He has made the political history of his country a study, and is also well versed in current events. He possesses a retentive memory, and has stored up a fund of useful knowledge, which at once makes him an instructive and entertaining conversationalist. In his religious associations he is a member of the Christian Church, to which his wife also belonged. Mr. JONES has now reached the advanced age of eighty-one years. His life has been well and worthily spent, and he is highly respected and widely known, especially among the older settlers of the county.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.