Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Jonas D. Schooley
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
JONAS D. SCHOOLEY Bloom Township has no better citizen than Mr. Schooley, one of its most practical and substantial farmers, who may usually be found at his headquarters on section 17, where he has 158 acres of well-developed land, fertile and watered by the Republican River. The property which he has thus accumulated is the result of diligence and industry exercised during the years of his early manhood, when he commenced in life without other resources than those which nature had given him.
Mr. Schooley came to his present place from Five Creek Township, where, in 1871, he had homesteaded land at a time when the present flourishing city of Clay Center was a hamlet of a few houses. He improved his land, setting out an orchard and other trees, and erecting farm buildings. Later, in 1885, he traded this for his present farm. He was born in Broad Run District, Loudoun Co., Va., Sept. 4, 1846, and lived there until 1869, when he emigrated to Iowa and settled in Jasper County, of which he was a resident two years, coming thence to Kansas.
The father of our subject was Jonas P. Schooley, likewise a native of the Old Dominion, and the descendant of an old Pennsylvania family, which crossed the ocean with William Penn. Jonas P. made his own way in the world from boyhood, engaging first in farming pursuits, and then in merchandising. He was successful, financially, and left at his death a fine property. He was a prominent man in his county, and represented his State and district in the Legislature and a member of the Lower House and a Senator. Through his influence there was enacted the school law of Virginia, providing for the education of its poorer population. He died in Loudoun County, in January, 1870, at the age of eighty-four years, being thrown from a horse, and receiving injuries from which he soon expired. In early manhood he affiliated with the old Whig party, and later joined the Republicans. During the Civil War he was a stanch supporter of the Union, and lost both friends and property on account of expressing his views upon this and the subject of slavery. At one time he was largely interested in the Point of Rocks mines. For the poor he always had a word of sympathy and substantial aid, and was universally popular among his fellow-citizens.
Mrs. Sarah A. (Smith) Schooley was likewise a native of Loudoun County, Va. She is still living, making her home with her children in the Old Dominion, and finds her religious consolation in the doctrines of the Episcopal Church. Jonas P. Schooley was reared in the Society of Friends, and naturally clung to the faith which had been taught him in childhood. To him and his wife, Sarah, there was born a large family of children, who were all given a thorough education, and who are mostly engaged in agricultural pursuits. Annetta is the wife of the Rev. Curtis Grubb, a well-known missionary of the Episcopal Church to the East Indies.
Upon reaching man's estate, Jonas D. Schooley was married, in his native county, to Miss Molly Hollingsworth, in September, 1869. This lady was born the 25th of August, 1852, in Loudoun County, Va., and is the daughter of Charles and Nancy (Wetherel) Hollingsworth, likewise natives of that county, and who are yet living on a farm in the vicinity of Waterford. They are people highly respected, and active members of the Friends' Church of the Hicksite order. Mrs. Schooley was well reared by her pious parents, and grew up to a worthy and attractive womanhood. She is now the mother of five children, viz: Edna E., Silas D., Katie R., Charles C. and Honora, who are all at home with their parents. Mr. Schooley politically is a sound Republican, and has held most of the township offices. Early in life he associated himself with the Masonic fraternity, and is now a member of Blue Lodge, at Clay Center.