Biographical Sketch of Prof. Jacob K. JONES (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Philadel- phia, PA, 1893, pp. 422-3. "PROF. JACOB K. JONES, an able, experienced and popular educator, and who has been principal of Spring City High school since 1877, is a son of George W. and Mary Jane (Seymour) Jones, and was born in Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1846. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Jones, was a native of Wales, and came during the war of 1812 to Gibraltar, Berks county, where he resided until his death. He married Mary Housman, and reared a family of four children, three sons and one daughter: Robert, who enlisted in the 78th Pennsylvania infantry, and was killed at the second Bull Run battle; Daniel, who settled at Danville, Montour county, where he died; George W., and Sarah, wife of Joseph Bradigham, of Reading. Geo. W. Jones was born in 1818, and after commencing life for himself settled at Birdsboro, in his native county, where he still resides. He was engaged for many years in the lime burning business in the southern part of Berks county, but is now living a retired life. He is a member of the Lutheran church, has always been a democrat in politics, and has held various local township offices. He married Mary Jane Seymour, who was born in 1820, and is a daughter of Solomon Seymour, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had seven children, four sons and three daughters: Prof. Jacob K.; Ellen, wife of George Arters, who is employed as an iron cutter in Brooks' rolling mill at Birdsboro; Rachel, who married Jesse B. Gross, now employed in a large rolling mill at Coatesville, where they reside; Amanda (dead); G. Morris, who married Elizabeth Wirt, and is a 'boss puddler' in Brooks' rolling mill; Daniel, who died young; and Frank, now dead. "Jacob K. Jones was reared in his native county, and received his education in the common schools, Boyertown academy, and Kutztown State Normal school, from which excellent educational institution he was graduated in the class of 1877. He commenced teaching in the autumn of 1867, in the common schools of Union township, Schuykill county, and two years later came to Charlestown township, this county, where he taught the same school for seven successive winter terms, and had his salary in creased each winter by the citizens, in order to retain his services. At the end of that time he returned to Kutztown Normal school to finish his course there in the senior class. After graduation in 1877, he accepted the principalship of Spring City High school, which important position he has held ever since. "On August 14, 1879, Professor Jones was united in marriage with Miss Annie V., daughter of John F. and Mary C. Young, and their union has been blessed with one child, Clarence M., who was born August 7, 1890. "Prof. Jacob K. Jones is a prohibitionist in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as financial secretary of the board of stewards, and as an exhorter and a class leader. When he assumed charge of the Spring City High school, Professor Jones found but four grades, but determining upon bringing the school up to a high standard, he went to work with a will to succeed, and has brought the school up to nine well arranged grades. Eleven rooms are now used to accommodate over five hundred pupils. The course of instruction has been extended so as to embrace algebra, geometry, book-keeping, physics, and the elements of Latin, and ten classes have been graduated since 1881. Progress and prosperity have marked the school since it has been under Professor Jones' charge. In recognition of his ability, scholarship and success as a teacher, he has been several times elected as a member of the committee on permanent certif- icates for Chester county. "He is treasurer of the teachers' county institute fund, and has arranged and constructed a set of school apparatus for philosophical experiments that is spoken of very highly. While not neglecting his school work he is inter- ested in the prosperity of his borough and has served as secretary of the Building and Loan association since its organization in June, 1891, when he was chairman of the committee which drew up its constitution and by-laws. He is an active and successful school and institute worker, and keeps abreast of the educational progress of the age."