Blair County PA Archives Obituaries.....Jones, Samuel July 31, 1894
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Tyrone Herald 8/2/1894
SAMUEL JONES DEAD.
One of Tyrone's First Residents and Oldest Citizens Passes Away,
His memory held in loving veneration by his posterity, his closed life-record 
in both private and public relations one of purity and honor, Samuel Jones, 
rich in years, beloved in his home, respected in this community, has passed
away.  His blameless and unsullied life, plain and unassuming personality, 
forgetfulness of self in the quest of happiness for others, conscientious 
regard for the duties of his citizenship, devotion to home and family, and 
earnest striving for the deepest spiritual truth, marked him as one of whom it 
may truly be written: "His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him 
that nature might stand up and say to all the world, '. This was a man.'"
Samuel Jones, Esq., was one of Tyrone's first settlers and oldest residents, 
having attained the age of 86 years, 6 months and 8 days. Of unusually robust 
constitution and exemplary habits, he transgressed few of nature's laws and in 
true nature was generous with him. for he retained health, and vigor many years 
beyond the allotted duration of human life. Weighted with the burden of over 
four score years, whitened by the snows of many winters, the sturdy frame at 
last succumbed to the feebleness of extreme age, and of late years he suffered 
a gradual decline in health and strength. Impairment of sight and hearing 
hastened the inevitable end. but he continued hearty, though infirm, until 
about nine months ago when his last illness began with a nervous trouble, and 
he had since been confined almost continuously to bis room. Increased 
feebleness gradually enervated him, but not until two weeks ago did he seem to 
fall finally before the dread conqueror. Then severe weakness completely 
prostrated him and leading to organic collapse, told of the approaching end. He 
sank by almost imperceptible degrees, in the latter days lapsed into a semi-
unconsciousness and at the last, at 12.50 o'clock Tuesday morning, his death 
was as calm and peaceful as his world-career had been, for gently, painlessly, 
like a child at evening: weaned of its day, he slept his life away.
Samuel Jones was of English descent, his paternal grandfather, a native of 
London, having settled in this country early in the eighteenth century. He was 
the son of Benjamin and Sarah Jones who at the time of his birth resided in 
Chester county.  His maternal grandfather, of old colonial family, was a 
soldier in the Revolutionary army and was with Washington at Valley Forge.  
Benjamin Jones was a farmer in Honeybrook township, Chester county, eight miles 
north of Coatesville, when on January 23, 1808, the subject of this sketch was 
born, the eldest son and, second child of ten children. He spent his childhood 
and early youth upon this farm and came in 1824 with his parents to Spruce 
Creek where his father continued at farming until his death in 1828. His mother
died in Tyrone, Nov. 23, 1872 at the ripe old age of eighty-six.
Soon after coming to Spruce Creek valley Samuel Jones learned the trade of clay 
potter, and after completing his apprenticeship he spent a year in Westmoreland 
county, returning to Spruce Creek in 1828.  He was married in the following 
year and immediately afterward Mr. and Mrs. Jones spent three months in 
Gatesburg, then resided several years in Stormstown where he plied his trade as 
potter. In the spring of 1838 they removed to an advantageous location in 
Franklin township, Huntingdon county, where he resided for thirteen years, 
continuing the manufacture of earthenware and selling his product throughout 
the fertile Spruce Creek valley.
Leaving that place, deceased went to Birmingham where he remained for six 
mouths while he built his residence in Tyrone to which he removed in 1851.  It 
was then one of the few houses in a new village; it is now an old landmark
in the center of a large and important town. Here he had resided ever since, 
being one of the few persons remaining who were members of this community 
before the erection of the borough.
In the early years of his residence here the deceased still conducted a 
pottery, but the primitive mode of earthenware manufacture being superseded, he 
relinquished the business and devoted his time exclusively to his duties as 
justice of the peace, to which office he was first elected in 1857 and was five 
times reelected, serving continuously for thirty years, retiring in 1887 on 
account of the infirmities of age. He was director of the poor of Blair county 
two terms, and a member of borough council in 18G5. Since his withdrawal from 
active labors seven years ago, he led a quiet and contented life, passing from 
activity to retirement, from retirement to repose.
Mr. Jones and his aged wife who survives him, were singularly blessed with a 
longevity together. Their married life extended over a period of nearly sixty-
five years. Samuel Jones and Elizabeth Mattern were united in marriage in 
Franklin township, Huntingdon county, October 23, 1829, and thereafter their 
history can well be written as one. The aged wife, only four months his Junior, 
has been a true and faithful helpmate, and no words can adequately depict the 
devotion with which she ministered to his every want during his last illness, 
nor the child-like trust and responsive confidence with which he welcomed her 
constant presence and care.
To Mr. and Mrs.  Jones were born ten children, seven of whom preceded their 
father to the tomb. Those surviving are Hon. Benjamin Jones of Philadelphia ; 
C. 8. W. Jones and Mrs. John A. Hiltner of Tyrone.  Two brothers and one sister 
also survive, Jacob W. Jones and Mrs. W. O. Myers, of Tyrone ; and Benjamin 
Jones, of Philipsburg.  The deceased was the grandfather of twenty-two and the 
great grandfather of twenty-four children.
Samuel Jones was of a modest, affectionate and generous disposition. He was a 
kind husband and father, and his ambition reached fulfillment when he could 
secure happiness to those dear to him. His dealings with others were always 
characterized by the strictest, integrity and a hearty liberality. To the limit 
of his means he was generous with all men. While never seeking prominence in 
public movements, he was ever in sympathy with progressive ideas
which told for the benefit of the community of which he was so long a member.  
In politics he was a steadfast and sterling Republican. In religion he was a 
devout searcher for all the truth and held broad views which encompassed
mankind in the grace of the beatitudes. He was one of the oldest members of the 
First Presbyterian church of Tyrone, of which he was for many years a trustee.
Funeral at the late home of deceased at two o'clock this afternoon, services to 
be conducted by Rev. Harvey Graeme Furbay.

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