JONES, WILLIAM SAMUEL, who is successfully engaged in the real estate business in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., was born on a farm south of Franklin, that county, January 21, 1863. He is a son of P. D. and Elizabeth (Morris) Jones, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. His paternal grandfather was a very prominent citizen and an extensive slave owner living near Nashville, Tenn.

P. D. Jones was born near Nashville, Tenn., in 1835, and his wife, in Virginia, in 1832. The former was left an orphan at an early age, and came to Morgan County when eight years old. In 1870 he bought a farm in the southern part of the county, which he operated until 1889. In that year he sold the property and moved to Paris, Mo., where he invested the proceeds in land. He remained there until 1897, again disposed of his farm, and returned to Franklin, Ill., where he invested in town property. He died in February, 1898, and his widow followed him in August 1899.

William S. Jones received his early mental training in the district schools of Morgan County, and then assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years old. At that period he went into the real estate and live stock business in franklin, Ill. In 1891 he bought 200 acres of land in Hettick, Macoupin County, Ill., and a year later sold it. He then moved to Paris, Mo., where he remained until April, 1905, during that period transacting an extensive real estate business. At that time he located in Jacksonville, where he owns what is known as the Potts Farm, situated at the western limits of the city. From the southeast corner of the Potts tract Mr. Jones has platted a new addition to the city of Jacksonville, and is also the owner of considerable other property.

On September 21, 1898, Mr. Jones was married in Paris, Mo., to Minnie Brissey, of Winchester, Scott County, Ill., a daughter of Ewing and Lucy (record) Brissey. Her maternal grandfather, John Record, was one of the pioneer preachers of Illinois. One child resulted from this union, Paul A., born March 16, 1900.

Politically Mr. Jones is a supporter of the Republican party. Fraternally, he joined Franklin Lodge, I.O.O.F., in 1889. He is also affiliated with Jacksonville Harmony Lodge and is a Knight Templar. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian, being a member of Westminster Church of Jacksonville, Ill. As will be justly inferred from the above facts Mr. Jones is a man of high moral standing, thoroughly capable in business and possessed of much energy and force of character.