Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 546
J. ELLIS JONES

It is not always an easy matter to discover and define the hidden forces that lie back of an active and successful life. Usually little more can be done than to note their manifestations in any particular life under review, and of the subject of this short biographical sketch, it can be truly said that he has brought to whatever duty lay before him an alert mind and a ready hand. J. Ellis JONES, well known farmer and stock man of St. Johns township, Harrison county, Iowa, has in the course of his career fully demonstrated the fact that he is possessed of more than ordinary business ability, for not only has he managed his own affairs in a way which has brought him material success, but he has used this same trait in such a manner as to bring about many better conditions for the community in which he has chosen to make his home. Well posted on all the affairs of the day, a genial man to meet, he has throughout his life added his quota to the services rendered by Harrison county's leading citizens, and has done his part toward raising the banner of civilization high and bringing about modern conditions to help make brighter and broader the every-day life of those of his community.

Mr. JONES is a native of this county, having first seen the light of day on March 4, 1861, at the family homestead in St. Johns township, section 33. His parents were William M. and Sarah (ELLIS) JONES, both native born Hoosiers, the father coming from Washington county and the mother from Greene county, Indiana, near the town of Linton. Both grew up in their native state, receiving their education in the common schools of that day, and, after their marriage, they lived in Putnam county until 1855, when they found themselves afflicted with what was termed the "western fever," and gathering together their most needful belongings, they started bravely out on the overland journey to this state, making the trip in the covered wagons that for so many years were such a familiar sight along all the highways leading toward this section. They first settled in Appanoose county, this state, remaining there however but two years, after which they lived for a time in Pottawattamie county, and later came to Harrison county. It was in 1861 they settled in this county, finding a location on Honey Creek, LaGrange township, where they secured a tract of land and set about establishing a home. They erected a log cabin and gradually reclaimed their land from the grasp of the wilderness. A certain portion of success had come to them by the time the father died in 1888, at the age of sixty-five years, the mother's death occurring in 1908 at the advanced age of seventy-six years. During the time the family had been established in this county, the father had made a reputation for himself as a well posted and successful farmer, and stock man. In politics he was a Democrat, although never aspiring to office. He was a man widely known and most highly respected by all, and for a number of years was active in the work of the Baptist church. He had been twice married, his first wife being a Miss ALDRIDGE, who also was born and reared in Indiana, where her death also occurred. She bore him five children, namely: Emily (Mrs. Mace) of Medicine Lake, Washington; Martha (Mrs. Hatcher) of Pottawattamie County, this state; Allen S., a retired farmer of Missouri Valley, this state; Silas A., also residing at Missouri Valley, and John H., who is located at Fremont, Nebraska.

By the second marriage there were seven children, of whom the eldest is William W., residing in St. Johns township, this county, and a sketch of whose career will be found elsewhere within the pages of this book; E.G., is engaged in farming in St. Johns township; Aseneth is the wife of T.R. Deweese and lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Amanda is Mrs. P.R. COX, of St. Johns township; while Winnie is the wife of Wilson DOTY and resides at Missouri Valley, this state. The sixth child in order of birth is the immediate subject of this sketch, and the youngest of the family is Harvey L., who lives on the old homestead in LaGrange township, this county.

J. Ellis JONES received such education as the schools of the county afforded when he was a youth, and he remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage at the age of twenty one. On September 7, 1882, he was united in marriage with Jemima DEAL of St. Johns township, this county, daughter of James E. and Hannah (CASE) DEAL, both born in Indiana, the former of Greene county and the latter in Putnam county. In 1852 the Deals came to Harrison county and secured a tract of land in section 24 of St. Johns township, where they made their home for many years. Previous to coming to this section, James E. Deal was a miller, but came to be a successful farmer after becoming a citizen of this state. His death occurred on the farm he had developed in 1907 at the age of 84 years. His wife had preceded him into the unknown country, her death occurring in 1896 at the age of 65 years. Both wee devout members of the Baptist church and in politics he was a Democrat, although without any desire for public office. Isaac, their oldest son, was born on March 17, 1847 and died unmarried. Sarah A., who was born November 27, 1848, is the widow of Thomas Acrea of Logan, Indiana. The third child of the family is John W., born on July 30, 1851, who is located in St. Johns township, this county, where he is engaged in agricultural work, and a sketch of whose career will be found elsewhere within this volume. Timothy R., born on May 27, 1855, lives in Washington; Tabitha Jane, born on October 22, 1857 is the wife of William M. JONES of St. Johns township, a biographical sketch of whom also is presented elsewhere in this volume. Hannah, born on October 20, 1859, is the wife of B.C. Wood, of Sumner, Nebraska; John J., born on December 1, 1864, resides at Council Bluffs, Iowa; Martha A., was born on March 28, 1867, and is the wife of Theodore JONES of Aledo, Oklahoma. Eli F., born on December 28, 1869, also lives in Oklahoma, while J. Harvey, the youngest of the family, born on June 25, 1872, resides at Missouri Valley, this state. It will thus be seen that Mrs. JONES comes from one of the good old pioneer families, the members of which are widely scattered, but each in his way has done something toward bringing about the development of this county, materially and ethically..

After marriage, Mr. JONES and his young wife lived for one year on the home farm of his father and then located on land in section 18 of St. Johns township, where for two years he operated a large stock farm for J.P. LAHMON. For the following three years, he was engaged in the harness business in Missouri Valley, but turned again to the land and for two years he farmed land which he rented in St. Johns township. He later purchased 80- acres in section 31 of this township, to which he gradually made several additions until at one time, he owned 120 acres. This he disposed of in 1900 and purchased a tract containing 697 acres in Calhoun township, known as the old Kellogg stock farm. He remained there but three years, when he sold out and returned to St. Johns township, purchasing the W.T. RODEN farm where he has since made his home. This farm contains 558 acres and is accounted some of the best land in the county, and a glance over its broad acres will fully demonstrate the fact that the owner thereof employs up-to-date methods in his farming and stock raising, for everything is as orderly as may be and shows systematic care. In 1907 Mr. JONES erected a beautiful home containing eleven rooms, modern throughout and with its private electric light plant. He has built a large barn, thirty-six by fifty-two feet, three stories high, and added many other valuable improvements. In every respect, it is a model farm home and may well be patterned after by the struggling young agriculturist. Mr. JONES is known as a stock man. He is a breeder of more than local reputation and also buys and feeds for market.

Mr. JONES is a member of the Christian church of Missouri Valley, to the support of which he is a generous contributor. He votes the Republican ticket and has taken a commendable interest in politics as relating to local affairs. For 20 years he has been a school director and was appointed a member of the county board in 1914, but owing to his extensive business interests was forced to resign. He also served as a member of the board of trustees of Calhoun and St. Johns townships for 12 years. With all the demands made upon his time by his own private interests, he has found time to devote to public interests, being always in the front ranks of those desiring improvement for the local community along any line. He was one of the organizers of the Missouri Valley telephone line No. 1, first installed in 1902, and was also the promoter and president of the Rural Telephone Association incorporated in 1908. He helped organize the Union Farmers' Club in 1900 and has only missed one meeting since its organization. He holds his fraternal affiliation with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows through the local lodge at Missouri Valley, and Mrs. JONES is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah.

To J. Ellis and Jemima (DEAL) JONES have been born five children: Homer E., who was born August 22, 1883, is a farmer and stock raiser of St. Johns township. He married Nellie Brown, and to their union have come five children, Doris, Lyle, Hugh, Bruce and Ward, the latter of whom died in infancy. The second child of the family is Ethel, born December 3, 1884, and married to Leslie J. BEEBE of Beebetown, this state, a farmer and stock man, and they are the parents of three children, Bennett, Ruth and Ellis. Herman B. was born on September 9, 1889, and married Fannie HOWARD. He is engaged in farming and stock raising in St. Johns township and is the father of two children, Cecil and Frances Marie. Ray E. was born on April 13, 1891 and also lies in St Johns township, where he too is engaged in farming and stock raising. His wife, before her marriage, was Luella PODENDORF and they have one son, Harold. Glen B., the youngest child of the family, was born on February 8, 1901 and remains at home with the parents.

Mr. JONES is in every respect a self-made man and can justly take pride in his accomplishment. He has proved himself a true man in every relation of life and a citizen of the highest order. As may be expected, Mr. JONES is widely known throughout the county and wherever he is known, he is honored and respected. A successful man in business, morally honorable and upright in every respect, an enterprising and unselfish citizen and excellent husband and father, he fills a big place in the local scheme of affairs, and it is eminently proper that a review of such a life be recorded in the history of this county.

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