THOMAS J. JONES - One of the honored and esteemed citizens and pioneers of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He resides in Section 9, Silver Creek Township.

Mr. Jones is a native of the Old Dominion, having been born in Mason County, near the Ohio River, November 16, 1833. His father, Charles Jones, was born and reared in Monroe County, Virginia, and his grandfather, William Jones, was a native of Ireland, an intelligent and educated man, and a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Jones' mother, Rhoda N. (Wright) Jones was born in New York state, the daughter of Gad and Rhoda (North) Wright. Mr. Wright was born in the Empire State and his wife was a native of Connecticut, a descendant of a prominent and wealthy family of that state. Charles Jones and wife were married in Mason County, Virginia, and when their son, Thomas J., the subject of this sketch, was three years old they removed to Union County, Indiana, where they remained two years. They then spent two years in Butler County, Ohio, after which they returned to Indiana and located in Decatur County. The father died there in July 1882 at the age of seventy-six years. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He was a member of the Christian Church and in politics cast his vote with the Whigs. He supported General Fremont when he was a candidate for the presidency, as also did his son, Thomas J. To Charles Jones and wife thirteen children were born, six of whom are living. Three daughters are in Indiana and two are in Nebraska. The mother lives with her son in this county, and at this writing has reached the advanced age of eighty-two years.

Thomas J. Jones was reared on a farm in Decatur County, Indiana, and while he was taught to chop wood, grub and clear land, he also learned lessons of honesty and frugality, all of which have served him well in after life. He was married in September 1858 to Miss Ann Elizabeth Clark a native of Decatur County, Indiana who was reared and educated there. Her father, William Clark, also a native of Indiana, was a son of Joseph Clark, a Kentuckian and her mother, nee Ritty Jane Menefee, was born in Kentucky, daughter of Larkin Menefee, also a native of Kentucky. Her parents now live in Decatur County, Indiana, the father being seventy-eight and the mother seventy-four years of age. They reared three children, two of whom are living: Mrs. Jones and her brother, Thomas J. of Indiana. In 1873 Mr. Jones came to Pottawattamie County, Iowa and bought a farm of 160 acres of wild land where he now resides. This he has improved in a good manner; has a comfortable cottage home surrounded by a fine grove and orchard. His farm is watered by springs and is well adapted for general farming and stock raising. All the farm conveniences - stables, cribs, feed lots and fences - show thrift and prosperity.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones have three children as follows: Martha Jane, wife of Orlando Hamilton of Washington Township, has seven children; Elnora, wife of William Shelton of Pottawattamie County, has three children; and Rhoda, wife of Angus McKenzie of Silver Creek Township has two children. One son, William Clark, is deceased. Mr. Jones is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.