BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Page 589.


REES JONES was born in Wales, in the year 1814; after obtaining a scant
schooling in his native country, he learned the blacksmith's trade. In
1842 he came to the United States, and settled in New York state, but
soon came to Pittsburgh, where he was a blacksmith in the employ of the
Kensington Iron works until his death in 1852. He married Mary Gregg
before coming to this country, and by her had seven children, the wife
and three of the children still survive him. William D. Jones is a son
of the above, his birth occurred in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1843.
Whatever schooling he had was obtained before he had left the years
of boyhood, for when nine years old, he began to work in a rolling-mill
in Pittsburgh. Remaining in the rolling-mill but a short time he then
went into a glass factory, in which work he has since been engaged.
Having followed his trade in different cities, in the fall of 1880,
Mr. Jones entered the employ of the Bellaire Goblet company, as a
pressman. Subsequently, in January, 1884, he was tendered the position
of general manager and superintendent of the Lantern Globe works,
which he accepted. During the late war Mr. Jones rendered valiant
service in Company F, Twelfth, Pennsylvania regiment volunteer cavalry,
enlisting June, 1861, and serving for three years. He was in the
following engagements: Gettysburg, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill,
Charles City, Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, second battle of Bull Run,
and was in the fight which the Union army won before Washington. In
the second battle of Bull Run he was wounded in the right arm.
Receiving an honorable discharge from further service in June, 1864,
he returned to his trade. In 1864, soon after his return from the war,
Mr. Jones was married to Margera A. McAlespy, a Philadelphia lady.
Six children have blessed this marriage, they are: Margera G.,
Francis B., Ella M., Bertha, John, F., and William L. Francis B.,
Ella and Bertha are deceased, as is also the mother who died in 1885.
Mr. Jones is a member of the G. A. R., and has always taken an active
and prominent part in the republican party's proceedings in this
county. He has proven himself to be a man of energy, integrity and
ability, having operated the affairs of the company which he manages
with much skill and shrewdness.