Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 187-188

JESSE S. JONES, dairyman and farmer of Platteville, Grant county, is a prominent representative of the agricultural interests of Wisconsin, and highly esteemed in the community in which he makes his home.

Jesse S. JONES was born in Orange county, N.Y., Dec. 21, 1823, a son of Anthony and Dorothy (SMITH) JONES, and grandson of Anthony JONES. Our subject's parents were both born and died in Orange county, N.Y. They had nine children, four still living: Mary A., now Mrs. JACKSON, a resident of Orange county, N.Y.; R. D., a well-to-do farmer of New York State; James W., a prominent farmer of Grant county, Wis.; and our subject; five are deceased.

Jesse S. JONES came to Wisconsin in 1847, settled in Iowa county, and followed farming and mining until 1850, when he settled at New California, Grant county, and engaged in the real-estate business. Later he became a merchant, continuing in that line for four or five years, and afterward became extensively interested in the lead mines in Grant and Iowa counties. Under President Buchanan he was appointed postmaster of New California, serving for some years, also served as town clerk for several terms, being the first clerk of Clifton township, served on the county board several years, and then as treasurer of the county. In 1866 Mr. JONES sold his other interests and purchased a farm adjacent to the city of Platteville, on which he erected a large, comfortable home. This property has been so much improved, in every way, since Mr. JONES came into possession of it, that it is now one of the finest in the county. For a number of years Mr. JONES has made a specialty of breeding fancy blooded horses and cattle, and also owns and operates a fully equipped dairy, furnishing the city of Platteville with the best quality of Jersey milk and cream, his herd of Jersey cattle being one of the best in the State. In addition to his Jersey cattle Mr. JONES owns a fine herd of Galloway stock, the magnificent Royal George Mogan, a full-blooded horse known to breeders all over Wisconsin, and the celebrated Pelham Tartar. Handling none but pure blooded stock, Mr. JONES has become famous as a stock dealer, and his horses and cattle always command fancy prices.

On Oct. 9, 1850, Mr. JONES married Miss Elizabeth KIRKPATRICK, who was born Oct. 18, 1832, in Iowa county, Wis., daughter of F. C. and Fannie (SPARKS) KIRKPATRICK, pioneers of Wisconsin, formerly of Georgia. To this union were born four daughters and one son who grew to maturity: Agnes, born in Grant county in 1852, was well educated, and afterward taught in Grant county; she married Lewis P. SHEARS, and settled in Iowa, where she died in 1883, leaving one son and one daughter - Ernest, of Chicago, and Agnes, adopted daughter of Mr. STINE of Belmont, Lafayette Co., Wis. Eva, educated at the State Normal, married Dr. George W. LEE, and now resides at Black Earth, Wis.; they have one son, Glen, of Chicago. Dorothy, educated at the State Normal, married H. J. SMILEY, a plumber, of New York City, later of Chicago, now of Platteville; they have no family. Elvira, also educated at the State Normal, is the widow of John A. RUBLE, of Beloit, and has one son, Jesse J. RUBLE, who resides with Jesse S. JONES at his home in Platteville. Jesse S., born in 1866, married Leora BELL, of Platteville, who was born, reared and educated in that city, a daughter of Archie BELL, an attorney, and one of the prominent men of Platteville, now deceased; they have two children, Eva and Benjamin; Jesse S. JONES, Jr., is an ice dealer, and owns his home in Platteville. On Oct. 9, 1900, Mr. and Mrs. JONES celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their married life.

Politically Mr. JONES has always been identified with the Republican party, but since coming to Platteville has taken no active part in politics. In religious matter Mr. and Mrs. JONES are consistent members of the Congregational Church, and greatly interested in the work pertaining thereto. They are both very worthy people, kind-hearted, genial, and pleasant, and are very widely known throughout the entire county.




This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck