Biographical Sketch of Hon. James W. Jones, Texas County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, from Earliest Times to the
Present" Published by Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1889.

**********************************************************************

Among the prominent citizens and prosperous farmers of Texas County,
MO., who started in life for themselves with a very small portion of
this world's goods, but who have attained a secure and high position
on the ladder of success, may be mentioned Mr. Jones, who is the young-
est of ten children, and was born in Clinton County, KY., April 20, 
1823.  He acquired a good education in his youthful days, and at the
age of twenty years left home, and came to Chariton County, MO., where
he was first engaged in breaking hemp at $12 per month, and at the 
breaking out of the Mexican War enlisted in Company K, Second Missouri
Cavalry, under Col. Sterling Price, and was out twelve months, partici-
pating in the battles of Cannatta, Lamputher and Toas.  At the last
named battle he received a wound in the left thigh that came very near
being fatal.  In 1850 he went to California, driving an ox team as far
as Salt Lake, and made the rest of the way on horseback.  He was en-
gaged in mining in that State until 1853, then went to Australia, 
where he mined for about a year, then returned to his home, and engag-
ed in farming in Chariton County.  During the late war he served for a
short time in the Missouri State Guard, and April 3, 1855, was married
to Mary Porch, a native of Tennessee, born May 28, 1821, her father
being Israel, the first settler of Porch's Prairie, in Chariton County.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jones a family of three children were born: Jonathan,
John and an infant (deceased).  Both sons are married, and residing
near their parents.  Mr. Jones is the owner of 1,000 acres of land,
with about 300 acres under cultivation, and owing to his many sterling
business qualities his labors have been attended with good success.
While in Chariton County he held the office of justice of the peace,
and in 1877-78 he represented Texas County in the State Legislature.
He is a Democrat and Mason, and a son of Jonathan and Mary (Humphries)
Jones, who were born, respectively, in North Carolina and Georgia. At
an early day the father moved with his brother, on pack-horses, from
North Carolina to Kentucky, and settled in Clinton County, whither the
mother came when a young woman.  They were married and spent their
lives in that county, and were engaged in agricultural pursuits, and
in his political views the father was a Democrat.  They were members
of the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches, and died at the ages of 
sixty-five and seventy-three, respectively.

====================================================================
     USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
         free information on the Internet, data may be used by
         non-commercial entities, as long as this message
         remains on all copied material. These electronic
         pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
         or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

         Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
         for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
         written consent of the file contributor.

         This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
         Archives by: Debbie Linton <lintonfam@alltel.net>
		      Penny Harrell <Incog3678@aol.com>

====================================================================