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BARTON M. JONES, a general farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 23, Elm Grove Township, is one of the settlers of Louisa County of 1853. He was born in Greene County, Ohio, Aug. 29, 1829, and is a son of Abraham and Mary (Hayes) Jones, who were also natives of the Buckeye State. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom grew to man and womanhood, though only four are yet living: Daniel, Nancy, wife of Lewis Skeel, a farmer of Putnam County, Ill.; Maria, who became the wife of William Wilson, a farmer, banker, and leading citizen of Bureau County, Ill.; and lastly, Barton M.
In 1831 the family removed from Ohio to Bureau County, Ill., where the father engaged in farming, which was his occupation through life. He was one of the honored pioneers of that county, and he and his wife, who were active workers in the vineyard of their Master, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The death of Mr. Jones occurred in 1858, Mrs. Jones surviving until 1883, when she too departed this life, both dying in Bureau County.
Our subject received a limited education in the common schools of Bureau County, but was only allowed to attend during the winter months, as his services were needed at home during the summer. At the age of twenty-one he left the parental roof and began threshing, which occupation he followed a year, and in 1851 rented a farm, beginning life for himself in the vocation which he has since followed. He was united in marriage with Miss Martha A. Enyart, who was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, July 10, 1834, and is a daughter of John L. and Margaret (Hughes) Enyart, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They are yet living and reside in Princeton, Ill., the father now being eighty-one years of age, the mother seventy-nine. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Jones was blessed with eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are: Mary E., who was born in Bureau County; Marian E., who became the wife of F. C. Buffington, a farmer of Elm Grove Township; Lewis A., a minister of the Evangelical Church; Daniel W., a farmer of Elm Grove Township, who married Almeda Bew; James H., who wedded Miss Sophrona Mickey, is a farmer of Elm Grove Township; and Marshall E., yet at home.
In 1853, accompanied by their eldest child, Mr. and Mrs. Jones came to Louisa County, reaching their destination in the month of November. He purchased a farm of 180 acres, but not liking the location he sold most of the land and bought a tract of 120 acres on section 23, Elm Grove Town- . . .
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. . . ship, upon which was a small frame building, 14x18 feet, into which the family moved. In that little cabin all of the children were born with the exception of Mary. The land was then in a wild, uncultivated state, but under the management of Mr. Jones it has been developed into a beautiful farm. The many trees which now throw their welcoming shade about the happy home, and the long line of hedge fences, were planted by him. The original farm has been increased until he now owns 315 acres, on sections 23, 24, 25 and 26, Elm Grove Township.
Mr. Jones endured all the hardships and trials which come to those who make homes in a new country in both Illinois and Iowa, and his labors have now received their reward, he being one of the well-to-do farmers of the vicinity. He is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party, but has never sought or desired public office, much preferring to give his entire attention to his farming interests. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church, in which they are active workers, and their honest Christian lives have won them the highest esteem of all. Mr. Jones was living in Illinois during the trying times of the Black Hawk War, and often during the early years of his residence in that State he was compelled to flee to a fort to avoid the attacks of the savage red men. It was necessary that two should work together in the fields in order to better defend themselves, and the settlers had to be constantly on the alert for fear of the treachery of the Indians.
