(From HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1883, Page 846)

Josephus P. Jones is the son of Seth and Betsey (Simonds) Jones, who were the parents of nine children, eight of whom grew to manhood. They settled in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1795, where they farmed over fifty years. Here Josephus was born June 19, 1815. He received his education at Bristol, Allen's Hill and Sevina academies. He studied civil engineering and surveying at Allen's Hill. In 1837 he went to Joliet, Will Co., Ill., where he was employed as civil engineer on the Illinois & Michigan canal. Sept. 19, 1850, he was married to Cristian E. Bero, of French descent. They had five children, two of whom are living: Rolla A., a practical engineer, now a resident of St. Paul, Minn., and Alice B., now the wife of Charles W. Cole, of Northwood. In 1856 he removed to Austin, Minn., purchased government land and engaged in farming. In 1860 he removed to Nevada, Mower county, where he was postmaster, county surveyor and justice of the peace for ten years. In 1869 became to Northwood, his present residence. In 1871 he was elected surveyor of Worth county and has held the office of justice of the peace eight years. He has been identified with the northwest forty-five years, having been a pioneer in two States, and many are the vicissitudes he has seen. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Presbyterian Church, where the family worship. Mr. Seth Jones had been previously married to Linda Barrows.

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, March 22, 2008