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 ILLIAM D. JONES honorably represents
one of the early pioneer families of Coles
County, owning an estate containing 165
acres of well-improved land located on section 29.
Lafayette Township. He is the son of William R.
and Eliza P. (Threlkeld) Jones, and was born Nov.
21, 1856, in this township. William R. Jones was
the son of John Dumas and Sarah (Blackburn)
Jones, and was born Aug. 12, 1808, in Harrison
County, Ky. His boyhood and youth were passed
in his native State, but possessing an enterprising
and active temperament, he came to Illinois in
1831, but did not remain. He returned, however,
in 1837 and settled in this county. He came with
no capital, save willing hands and a brave heart,
and applied himself closely to hard work, and his
struggle with the perils and hardships of the wilderness was for a time arduous in the extreme, but
he was industrious and economical, and gradually
acquired some capital with which to purchase more
land and increase his business facilities. His efforts
were crowned with success, and he became the
owner of over 600 acres of well-improved land, and
erected a substantial two-story brick residence,
which was one of the best in the vicinity. Mr. J. always exercised a generous hospitality in. his home, and during the Civil War evinced his loyalty by affording material assistance to the families of the soldiers who had left their wives and little ones at home to lay down their lives in the defense of the “Old Flag.” In early life he was a Whig, but subsequently became a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He never made a public profession of his religious faith by becoming a member of the church, but was strictly moral and upright in his daily life, never forgetting in his business dealings and social relations the brother- hood of man and the precepts of the “Golden Rule.” Mr. Jones was married twice. His first wife, Miss Eliza P. Threlkeld, was the daughter of Elder Thomas Threlkeld, and was a native of Kentucky. Their marriage took place in 1853, and after three brief-years she died Dec. 31, 1856, leaving two sons, Thomas T. and William D. In 1862 Mr. Jones was married to Miss Elizabeth Ewing. Mrs. Jones is the daughter of William and Louisa Ewing. One daughter was born to them, Sarah Louisa. Mr. Jones died April 6, 1879. and lies buried in Bethel Cemetery. His funeral services were attended by a large concourse of sympathizing friends, who thus evinced the high esteem in which their departed neighbor and fellow-citizen was held. His widow still survives him, and re- sides in Mattoon. W. D. Jones has grown up with this township, where he was reared on his father’s farm and received a good common-school education, and was also taught the practical details of farming by his father, who was active and diligent in all enterprises. Before his final settlement in Illinois in 1837, he had frequently made trips to this State, purchasing hogs, which he drove to Kentucky to fatten and feed for the market, one horse serving to convey him on thirteen trips. He has inherited his father’s good judgment in business, and owns a fine farm containing 165 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Jones was married, Oct. 1, 1879, to Miss Cynthia A. Williams. Mrs. Jones is the daughter of Robert Elliott Yates Williams, and was born June 10, 1859, in Coles County. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have two interesting children, Franklin R. and Claude D. In politics Mr. Jones is a Republican. |
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