DeSoto Parish, Louisiana; Biography: I. F. Jones - j520

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Submitted by Gaytha Carver Thompson
Typed by Trudy Marlow
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           I. F. Jones, planter of De Soto Parish, La., is
         now successfully following the calling to which he
         was reared, and which has been his life work, a
         calling that for ages bas received undivided efforts
         from many worthy individuals, and one that always
         furnishes sustenance to the ready worker.  Mr.
         Jones first saw the light of day in Greene County,
         Ala., on September 30, 1828, being only eight
         years of age at the time of the death of his father,
         Joshua Jones, which occurred in Alabama, whither
         he has moved from his native State of North Caro-
         lina, the mother having also been born there, her
         maiden name being Mourning Gandy.  After being
         left a widow, she remained with her family in
         Alabama until 1856, then came to Louisiana and
         located in De Soto Parish, near the present site of
         Grand Cane, where she purchased 200 acres of
         land on which she lived until her death in August,
         1858, the names of her children being as follows:
         I.   F., Priscilla, and Mrs. S. B. Saunders, of
         Texas.  James Martin, another son, was a soldier
         in the Rebellion, and while crossing the bay from
         Mobile to Pollard, the ship on which he sailed
         caught fire and be was lost, but whether be was
         burned to death or drowned, is unknown.  Being
         left fatherless at an early age, the subject of this
         sketch had to assist in supporting the family, but
         in 1862 left his farm work to enlist in Company
         D, Shelby's battalion, it being afterward consoli-
         dated with the New Orleans Crescent Regiment,
         with which he served until the final surrender,
         holding the positions of corporal and sergeant.
         After Lee's surrender he returned to his home,
         and here has since devoted his attention to plant-
         ing, his present farm consisting of 400 acres, of
         which about 300 are cleared.  His well-known
         habits of industry and enterprise have made him
         well known throughout the parish, and the respect
         which is accorded him is universal.  He was mar-
         ried in 1858 to Sarah J. Storey, who died August
         7, 1886, having borne a family of ten children,
         seven of whom are living at the present time:
         Rosa, Edna, Sallie, Henri, Alabama, Exa and
         Pearl.  Mr. Jones is a member of the Cumberland
         Presbyterian Church.