R. W. Jones is now practically retired from business life but still resides upon his finely improved farm on section 34, Grove township. Three years ago, however, he relegated its active work to others, having up to that time successfully carried on the work of tilling the soil and raising stock. He has lived upon this farm for thirty-one years, or since his arrival in Pottawattamie county in 1876. He made his way to the middle west from Pennsylvania, but is a native of Wales, born in 1844. His parents, William and Margaret (Evans) Jones, both died in Wales, the mother passing away during the early childhood of her son, R. W. Jones, who was forced to start out in life for himself at a very early age. Whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable to his own labors. He early came to a realization of the fact that success has its basis in unremitting toil and that advancement depends largely upon capable management and perseverance. Having thus early learned the lessons of life, he has put them into actual practice as the years have gone by.

He arrived in America in 1863, having borrowed the money to pay his passage. For a time he resided in eastern Pennsylvania, where he was employed at common labor. He was, however, a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit to some extent in the east in connection with other lines of work. His first purchase of land made him owner of the farm which is still his home. As stated, he came to Pottawattamie county in 1876, and has since lived upon this place, although he has in the meantime extended its boundaries. He first became owner of eighty acres and has added to the property until he now has one hundred and sixty acres of land which is well improved.

Mr. Jones married in Pennsylvania to Miss Ellen Thomas, also a native of Wales, whence she came to America in her girlhood days with her parents, who died in Pennsylvania many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have five children, two of whom were born in the Keystone state and three in this county, namely: Sarah, who is the wife of S. D. McLean, of Grove township, and has seven children; Margaret, the wife of L. Richardson, of Missouri, by whom she has four children; Miriam, the wife of Frank Williams, of Montgomery county, Iowa, by whom she has one daughter; Edith, the wife of T. A. Thomas, of Montgomery county, by whom she has two children; and William, who is operating the home farm.

Politically Mr. Jones is a republican, and while he discharges the duties of citizenship with a sense of conscientious obligation, he has never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to the Congregational church and is interested in every department of its work, but is most active perhaps in support of home and foreign missions, contributing very liberally to this cause, which is undenominational. He is particularly interested in the work in China, India and Africa and does what he can for the spread of the gospel in heathen lands. His religious belief is manifest in his daily life, in his honor in business, in his consideration for the rights of others and in his devotion to high ideals.