450                 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

    THOMAS P. JONES is the senior partner of the firm of Jones & Com-
pany, beef and pork packers of Brazil, Indiana. He is one of the native
sons of Brazil, born July 23, 1863, his parents being William R. and Susan
(Crabb) Jones. The father, who was born in Wales, April 22, 1827, died
February 3, 1901. His parents were Reece and Celia Jones, both of whom
were natives of Wales, where they spent their entire lives. William R.
Jones came to America when twenty-two years of age, crossing the At-
lantic in a sailing vessel. Four times after that he made his way across
the briny deep, making two visits to his native country to see family and
friends there, He became a resident of Clay county, Indiana, where for
many years he engaged in farming and in butchering. He bought and
killed stock and sold the meat through the country until 1880, when his
son Thomas became his partner, and while the father purchased and killed
the beeves the son conducted a meat market in Brazil. Mr. Jones con-
tinued an active, influential and respected business man of Clay county
until 1899, when he retired, enjoying well earned rest up to the time of his
death, He was a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M., and
was laid to rest with Masonic honors. He also belonged to Brazil Lodge,
No. 215, I. 0. 0. F., and gave his political allegiance to the Republican
party. On the 21st of April, 1862, near Brazil, Indiana, he married Miss
Susan Crabb, who was born in Clay county, December 4, 1844, and is now
living in Brazil. They became the parents of sixteen children, six sons
and ten daughters, of whom eleven reached manhood and womanhood
and seven of the daughters married. Nine children of the family are now
living. Further mention of William R. Jones is made on another page
of this work.
    Thomas P. Jones was only about a year old when his parents removed
from Brazil to a farm near the city. He began his education in the dis-
trict schools near his father’s home and later spent a year and a half as a
student in Danville, Indiana. Subsequently he engaged in teaching school
for about two years and then, desiring the benefit of further instruction
himself, he entered Purdue University, where he remained as a student
for about two years. He afterward devoted sometime to assisting his
father on the farm and later spent a year in Brazil, working for Charles
Herbert as a clerk. In 1880 he embarked in business in partnership with
his father, who bought and butchered stock, while Thomas P. Jones man-
aged the sales, conducting a market in Brazil. He has since been identi-
fied with this line of business, but the father withdrew in 1899. To-day
the business is carried on by Thomas P. Jones and his brother Lemuel un-
der the firm style of Jones & Company, incorporated, beef and pork
packers. Their location is at No. 512 West Main street, where they con-
duct their packing interests, and in addition they also have eight meat
markets and five of these conduct a grocery department in connection.
Mr. Jones is associated with his brother-in-law, Harry E. Lett, in the
grocery business, and be is also vice president and general manager of the
Brazil Ice and Storage Company. His interests are now extensive and
are an important element in the commercial and industrial activity of
Brazil, He has developed his business along modern, progressive lines,
ever displaying an aptitude for successful management, while keen busi-
ness discrimination and unwearied industry have been marked attributes
of his commercial career.
    Pleasantly situated in his home life, Thomas P. Jones was married
on the 28th of August, 1889, to Miss Mary J. Lewis, who was born near