Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 702
BRYON L. JONES

The attention of the reader is now directed to a brief sketch of the career of Bryon L. JONES, for many-years engaged in the hardware and lumber business in Little Sioux, Harrison county, Iowa, and now living in quiet retirement from the more active affairs of life. Some philosopher has remarked that a keen insight into the life of any man, a thorough study of its motives and actions, would be beneficial to all those who strive to attain to the better things of life. Life is so complex and we know not the secret strivings and efforts of our brother's life; we can judge only of its results, and in the kindly life of the present subject, much is found that is elevating and has a tendency to increase one's faith in mankind generally.

Bryon L. JONES was born on September 13, 1844, in Knox county, Ohio, a son of William S. and Eliza (MCCURDY) JONES, the former a native of Wales and the latter of the state of New Jersey. The father of William S. was Isaac, who emigrated to this country and settled in Knox county, Ohio. William S. JONES was the father of eight children, all of whom except one were reared to maturity in the freedom of farm life, the father having followed that vocation all his life. In 1847 William S. JONES moved from his home in Ohio and located on a farm in Hancock county, Illinois, where he remained until 1866, in which year he moved to this county and state, locating on the Soldier river, in Jackson township. There he purchased a tract of eight hundred acres of land, but was not long permitted to remain thereon. Death called him away in 1868, thus leaving parentless the family of seven children, the mother having passed from this life the previous year. After the death of the father, the children divided up the estate and B. L. JONES continued, for about twenty-two years, to make his home on that portion which fell to his lot. In 1885 he sold a portion of his heritage and removed to Little Sioux, where, in partnership with his brother, A. M. JONES, he engaged in the retail hardware business. This partnership continued for about a year, at the end of which time B. L. JONES purchased the interest of his brother and continued the business alone until 1905, since which time he practically has been retired from the active affairs of life. In connection with his hardware business he also carried a line of lumber and kindred supplies and did much to enhance the commercial interests of the town.

Mr. JONES is a veteran of the Civil War, having first enlisted as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with his brother, Sanders W. JONES. He remained in that company for one year and eleven months and then re-enlisted as a private in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, remaining thus attached until the close of the war. Mr. JONES saw considerable active serv1ce during his term as a soldier of the Union and at an engagement at Champion's Hill, Mississippi, was captured and held prisoner by the enemy. However, he was soon afterward released, owing to the fact that he was in frail health and clearly could not withstand the rigors of prison life. After the close of the war he returned to his home and again took up his work as a farmer.

In 1868 Mr. JONES was united in marriage with Mary A. ALTON, who was born in Hancock county, Illinois, July 15, 1848, a daughter of David M. and Susan (HARWICK) ALTON. Mrs. JONES had, up to this time of her marriage, passed her entire life in Illinois and had never visited this county until after her marriage. This union was without issue, but in the good hearts of Mr. and Mrs. JONES there existed an abiding love for little children and they took into their home and reared to maturity four homeless little ones. They have thus won for themselves the blessings of parenthood and conferred a lasting favor upon mankind in their care of these helpless ones. Both Mr. and Mrs. JONES are held in high regard by a large circle of friends and acquaintances and the influence of their useful lives goes far beyond their own threshold.

Mr. JONES has always been an advocate of the principles of the Republican party and takes pride in the fact that his first vote was cast for Abraham LINCOLN, that vote being cast while he was in the army. Mr. JONES has never filled any public office other than that of township trustee, but in his quiet way has been influential in the politics of his section. His fraternal affiliation he holds in the Grand Army of the Republic, being a member of Neitz Post at Little Sioux. Mr. JONES has never affiliated himself with any church society, but is keenly interested in the welfare of all and attends the various churches of his home town. While never having made a public profession of faith, he has ordered his life in harmony with the examples of the Great Teacher. Aside from some time given to the management of his farm on the River Sioux, he lives in quiet retirement, surrounded by friends and enjoying the comradeship of his faithful helpmeet, both honored and respected by all.

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