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         A. J. JONES, a farmer residing on section 11, Concord Township, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1829, and is a son of John and Hannah (Kean) Jones, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of New Jersey. Her parents moved to Ohio at an early day, her father there engaging in farming until his death, which occurred in 1833, when our subject was about three years old. His excellent wife still survives him, and is now the widow of Jacob Storms. She now resides in Muscatine County, and is in good health for a lady of her age.

Our subject was reared to farm life, and has followed that occupation ever since attaining his majority. He was educated in the district schools of his native State, and in 1852, in Ross County, was united in marriage with Mary Ann Crute, who was born in Brown County, and was a daughter of James and Sarah (Bennington) Crute, who were natives of Ohio. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and resided in his native State until his death, which occurred several years ago. After his marriage Mr. Jones located upon the old homestead in Ross County, where he resided until the fall of 1865, when he made an overland trip to Louisa County, Iowa. He was twenty-one days on the road, and after reaching his destination settled on section 14, Concord Township, where he engaged in farming for four years. In 1868 he purchased twelve acres of improved land on section 14, also renting land for some time, and in 1880 purchased another tract of forty acres on section 11 of the same township. He has since invested his money in town property in the village of Letts.

In 1872 Mr. Jones was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who died after a short illness, at the age of forty-five years. By their union three children were born, all yet living: Sarah Ann, now Mrs. Storms, of Dallas County, Iowa; Caroline, now Mrs. Manning, who lives in Muscatine County, and Effie, now Mrs. Gipple, resides in Audubon County, Iowa. After the death of his first wife Mr. Jones was again married, in Louisa County, in 1873, becoming the husband of Aletta Beard, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph and Adrienna (Nevis) Beard, who were born in New Jersey, and who came to Louisa County in 1838, settling on section 14, Concord Township. The father entered and purchased a considerable tract of land, but only lived twenty days after his arrival in the county. Upon his wife devolved the responsibility of rearing and caring for her children, but nobly did she perform her arduous duties. She is yet living at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Mrs. Jones was the widow of James Madison Garrett, who was a native of Kentucky, but came to Iowa at an early day. After his marriage he located upon a farm on section 12, Concord Township, where he bought eighty acres of prairie land, which he greatly improved and made his home until the time of his death, which occurred in 1861, at the age of thirty-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Garrett were born two children: Middleton, who died at the age of three years and eight months, and Elenora, yet living with her mother.

After his marriage Mr. Jones located upon the farm where he yet resides. He takes an active interest in political affairs, voting with the Democratic party, and a stanch supporter of its principles. He has held several offices of public trust, and several times has been elected a delegate to different conventions. His home is pleasantly situated about two and three-fourths miles from Letts. Mrs. Jones has witnessed many changes in both Louisa and Muscatine Counties, having spent the greater . . .

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. . . part of her life in this vicinity. At the time of her arrival the present flourishing city of Muscatine was known at Bloomington, and contained but two or three log cabins. They had to go forty or fifty miles to mill, taking nearly a whole week to make the trip. Bands of Indians were seen strolling over the prairies, and all kinds of wild game abounded.