BIO: Jabez C. P. JONES, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ JABEZ C. P. JONES, the present popular mayor of Milesburg, and proprietor of a restaurant at that place, is classed among the enterprising and wide-awake business men of Centre county. He is ever ready to assist in any movement tending to advance the interests of the community in which he resides, and is highly respected by his fellow- citizens. A native of Centre county, Mr. Jones was born in Bald Eagle Valley, July 12, 1833. His parents, David and Sarah E. (Carter) Jones, were natives of Vermont and Connecticut, respectively, were married in the former State, and in 1806 came in a sleigh to Centre county, Penn., where they spent their remaining days, the father dying in February, 1854, at the age of sixty-eight years, and the mother in September, 1883, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Hannah, who married John Glenn, but both are now deceased; Chauncey, Silvey and Harvey, all three deceased; Henry, a resident of Clinton county, Penn.; Sarah J., deceased; and Jabez C. P., of this review. By occupation the father was a general farmer, was a Whig in politics, and for ten years served as justice of the peace of Union township, Centre county. He was a devout member of the Methodist Church, in which he was class leader for twenty-one years. His father, Jabez Jones, was born in New Hampshire of Welch extraction, while his (Jabez's) wife's father was a native of the Green Mountain State. Neither ever lived in Centre county. In the usual manner of farmer boys our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and at the age of seventeen entered upon an apprenticeship to the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed until 1860. For one year thereafter he was engaged in a mercantile establishment. The Civil war having broken out, he enlisted, in 1861, in Company B, 148th P.V.I., but he was taken ill, and after seven months and fifteen days spent in the service, he was honorably discharged and returned home. For four years he then engaged in clerking, after which he was employed as a huckster and peddler for some years. Subsequently he followed contracting and general carpenter work two years, and then opened his present restaurant at Milesburg, which he has since successfully conducted. In March, 1854, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Elizabeth Parsons, a native of Milesburg, who died March 25, 1871. To them were born nine children-three sons and six daughters-five of whom died in infancy. Those living are Mary, wife of Thomas Dougherty, of Oakpond, Penn.; James T., of Clinton county, this State; David, of Bellefonte, Centre county; and Silvey, of Pittsburg. On July 23, 1873, Mr. Jones was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Bella Murray, and they have eight children, all at home, namely: Erma E., Grace T., Lester V., Bella V., Fenetta J., Edna R., Clara V. and Iva J. Mrs. Jones was born at Milesburg, March 15, 1843, and is a daughter of Thomas M. and Euretta (Roberts) Hall, in whose family were the following children: James, deceased; Mary, wife of Col. James F. Weaver; Mrs. Ellen Swires, a widow; Benjamin, a resident of Chicago; Clara, who married A. T. Boggs, of Milesburg, but is now deceased; Henry and George, both deceased; Dr. William, who is living in Milesburg; Bella, wife of our subject; and Joseph, a resident of 484 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Missouri. The father of these children conducted a hotel at Milesburg, was a prominent Democratic politician, and served as sheriff of Centre county. Mr. Jones has been called upon to fill several official positions of honor and trust in his locality, the duties of which he has discharged in a most capable manner. He has served as councilman, assessor, and school director for twenty-two years, being secretary of the board for sixteen years and president two years of that time. He has also been a member of the board of health, and auditor of the town for eleven years. In January, 1895, he was appointed burgess, which responsible office he is now acceptably filing. On account of the injurious effects of his army service, he now receives a pension of $30 per month. He is an ardent Republican in politics, and fraternally is a member of the Grand Army Post of Milesburg, of which he was commander for one year.