Jones, Henry 1827-1872

JONES

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

Source: 1908 Sioux County Atlas

Birth: 1827
Died: 1872

FIRST DEATH.-Probably the first death in the township was Major Jones, an old soldier. He had come into this part of the country as a surveyor and located a great many people in Lincoln Township. This work exposed him a great deal, so he was taken sick with typhoid fever at the home of Mr. Webster Merrill in the northwest part of the township. This gentleman was cared for by the different settlers, each in turn taking his night to sit up and care for him. Mr. Jones died and the settlers gathered together and made his coffin out of rough pine boards. The hearse consisted of a lumber wagon, the mourners were the whole community. As there was no minister, the Masonic burial service was read at the grave by Lafayette F. Knight. The spot selected for the burial was on section 16 (the place now known as Doon.) The body was afterward removed to Hope cemetery at Hull.

An October 1882 newspaper article tells how the "old soldiers" went back to the spot where Mr. Jones had been buried at and removed his remains to Hope Cemetery and were looking into getting a memorial for him. See excerpt from article as a photo. The article calls him "Major" and says he served in the 3rd Cavalry, but there was no Major Henry Jones in the 3rd Iowa Cavalry.