Chester Jones Missionary

Chester Jones
Family History Notes from the Work of Chester Jones, Grandson

Chester Jones was born on September 7, 1878, in Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas. He was the eldest of the 15 children. His parents were William Andrew Jones & Martha Ann Turpin.

He was licensed to preach by the California Baptist Church in Young County, Texas, on May 8, 1904, and was ordained to preach by the Proffit Baptist Church there in Young County. His first pastorate was the Bush Knob Church in Throckmorton County, Texas, and he eventually served as pastor at the Roberts Baptist Church and at Rochester, O'Brien, & Cottonwood Churches in Haskell County, Gillespie Church in Knox County, Dry Lake, Soldier Mound & Espulah Churches in Dickens County and Curry Chapel, Rockdale and Pinkerton Churches in Haskell County.

He married Nellie Mae Bryant on January 20, 1901, in Throckmorton, Texas. She was born in Collin County, Texas, on June 5, 1883, the daughter of Daniel Jefferson Bryant and Amanda A. Kirk.

Rev. Chester Jones and his wife, Nellie, came to Haskell County in 1910. They had 4 children all born in Throckmorton County: Alice, Vennie, Jesse and Lillian.

In 1939 he organized the Fundamental Baptist Church where he served as pastor until his retirement in 1957. He was described as a no-nonsense, highly principled individual who practiced what he preached. He rarely laughed and had essentially no social life outside the church. But, in addition to his work as a dedicated pastor, he was a businessman.

On October 9, 1923, Chester Jones and his 18 year-old son, Jesse, founded a partnership venture named Jones & Son. They purchased a small building and business which was originally built by F. G. Alexander & Sons mercantile store in the early days of Haskell. Before they were able to buy insurance on the building, it burned to the ground on their first day of ownership, leaving them with no building and no money to rebuild. They did not even own the land.

Three early-day Haskell businessmen came to their rescue. F. G. Alexander offered to sell them the land for $300, no money down and at $10 a month "whenever they had it". John Couch, manager of Spencer Lumber Co., sold them the lumber to rebuild at ten dollars per month "when they had it". Burl Cox provided space in the back of his store and a complete hand tool tin shop for use until rebuilding was complete. From that modest beginning, Jones & Son developed into three businesses: Sheet Metal Works, Blacksmith Shop and Filling Station.

Nellie Bryant Jones was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was physically tall and strong and was described as one whose life was centered around her home & family . She never learned to drive and was always dependent on others for transportation when she needed to leave her home.

Nellie died October 16, 1959, and is buried at Willow Cemetery. At the age of 86, Chester Jones was buried beside his wife at Willow Cemetery in Haskell, when he died on March 16, 1965. Their contributions to Haskell and the surrounding communities are still remembered.