Biography - J. P. JONES

One of the capable and energetic citizens of Staunton is J. P. Jones, who in addition to the discharge of his duties as engineer in the mines is conducting the City House and supervising the cultivation of his one hundred acre farm in this township. He was born in Minstrelly, Shropshire, England, on the 29th of December, 1853, being a son of Richard and Hannah (Crowder) Jones. The parents were natives of the same county and there the father worked in the lead mines until his death in 1865. The mother continued to make her home in her native land until after the death of her son, J. P.’s, first wife when she came to this country to make her home with him. She is now living with her daughter in Girard, Illinois, having attained the venerable age of seventy-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones were the parents of four sons and two daughters, our subject being the eldest of the family. The other members according to birth are as follows: Martha, the wife of Albert Evans, of Glen Carbon, Illinois; William, who died in England; Thomas, who is also deceased : Sarah, the wife of Frank Naulty, of Girard, Illinois; and Richard, who was killed in the mine at Lebanon, Illinois.

J. P. Jones was reared in the place of his birth, acquiring his education in the common schools. When old enough to begin working he learned to be a hoisting engineer, following this occupation in the mines of England until 1880, when he emigrated to the United States. He first located at Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania, where he remained for a year. At the expiration of that time he removed to Wadsworth, Summit county, Ohio, continuing the same occupation for three years. From there he came to Staunton, where he has ever since continuously worked in the mines. He has always been a thrifty, hardworking man and has acquired one hundred acres of fertile land in this township, that he is cultivating. The place is kept in excellent condition and shows very good improvements, all of which he has brought about, with the exception of the house, which was remodeled.

Mr. Jones has been twice married, his first wife having been Miss Lizzie Davis, to whom he was united in 1876, while living in England, and who passed away sixteen years later. Four children were born to them: Joseph, now an engineer of Staunton; Thomas, who is engaged in farming in Staunton township; Maud, who is living at home; and Mae, a local school teacher. In 1897 Mr. Jones was again married, his choice this time being Mrs. Susan (Strawhun) Snell, the widow of James Snell, by whom she had two daughters: Truda, now Mrs. Anderson; and Bessie, the wife of William Ackers. They are both residing in Staunton. Mrs. Jones is the owner of the City Hotel, which she is now conducting.

The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Jones are confined to his membership in the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party and for the past three years he has been a member of the town committee and has been serving on the school board for two. Mr. Jones has many friends in Staunton, his kindly nature, cordial manner and practical ideas making him popular among the business men of the town.

Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 632-633.