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James Boyden Jones, stock breeder and importer of fine stock, was born in Surry County, N.C., July 13, 1838, and is the son of James and Annie (FELTS) JONES. On the father's side the first progenitor was Ronald JONES, a native of Wales, who had, in his early life, followed fishing, and later in life had located on a farm, by his son, Maj. John JONES, made a home and reared his family. James JONES, father of our subject, located in Rush County, Ind., and here James Boyden Jones grew to manhood on a farm and adopted agricultural pursuits as his life-long business. At the breaking out of the great civil conflict he enlisted his services in defense of the Union as a private in Company I, Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and rendered active and honorable service. At the battle of Stone River, Tenn., he was terribly wounded and left in a deplorable condition. After being in the general field hospital near Murfreesboro, Tenn., until almost well, he returned to his home and aidedin recruiting Company M, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, and again enteredthe field as first lieutenant in 1863. He was a brave and gallant officer, and was mustered out September, 1865, at Indianapolis. In the latter part of 1864 he was captured by Forest, at Sulphur Branch, Ala., where he was seriously wounded by shot and shell. He left the service as captain of Company M, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry. In 1866 he removed to Ray County, Mo., and farmed there for several years. In 1883 he moved to Lawrence County, where he has since remained. He has given considerable attention to raising and dealing in stock. His inclinations were for fine stock raising, and with the opportunities this locality affords, he invested in fine cattle, and is doing well at this busniness. He married in Indiana Miss Hester REEVE, daughter of Elder Benjamin F. REEVE, of the Christian Church of Rush County, Ind. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born four children: Charley R. (who died when five months two weeks and one dayold), one deceased in infancy, Ray (wife of John W. TAYLOR, of Peirce City), and Maude M., who lives at home. Mr. Jones is a member of the G.A.R., and he and family are members of the Christian Church.
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>Gabriel C. JONES, one of the editors of the Peirce City Democrat, was born in Boyle County, Ky., October 20, 1839. He is a son of Laban and Rachel (WALKER) JONES, who were born in Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, and were the parents of four children. Gabriel C. was the youngest of their children, and was reared in the "Blue Grass" state. He followed the occupation of clerking, and after reading law for some time was admitted to the bar in Missouri in 1872. Besides practicing his profession he published a newspaper, and was engaged in the lumber business. In 1887 he and J. C. SMITH began editing the Peirce City Democrat, which is one of the successful newspapers of the county. He has been city clerk and has also held the office of justice of the peace.
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