Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 441-442

BENJAMIN G. JONES. Among the well-known citizens of Grant county is Benjamin G. JONES of Millville, proprietor of a flouring-mill at that place, and a veteran of the war of the Rebellion, having fought for the Union in the famous Iron brigade. He enlisted in January, 1864, in Company C, 6th Wis. V.I., and joined the regiment at Culpeper, Va., participating in the terrible battles, marches, and sieges which fell to the lot of the Army of the Potomac during the last desperate struggles of the war. All know the record of the Iron Brigade in the awful campaign of the Wilderness, in the siege of Petersburg, and the desperate battles attending that siege. Then, when Lee was compelled to leave his stronghold and flee before the terrible onslaughts of Grant's army, the Iron Brigade was foremost among the troops who pursued the confederate army, and was present at the surrender at Appomattox. Mr. JONES participated in many severe battles in which the brigade was engaged, and had many narrow escapes, but was never severely injured. At the battle of Hatchi's Run a ball passed through his hat, and the force was sufficient to knock him down. He is in a fair condition of health, considering the severity of his army life, and yet he has suffered much from causes resulting therefrom, chief among which was a varicose limb, which compelled him to go on crutches for some time; he has never fully recovered in this respect.

A native of England, Mr. JONES was born in Northamptonshire Dec. 5, 1846, a son of John and Christina (GAMAGE) JONES. When he was a mere lad the family, comprising parents and four children, emigrated to America. Another child was born after coming to this country. Benjamin G. was the eldest son. The father passed away in 1887 at Bridgeport, Wis., where the aged mother still lives. On coming from England the family first located in Grant county, whence they removed to Crawford county.

Mr. JONES was reared to the occupation of farming, but also learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a number of years. In the fall of 1878 he went to Nebraska, where he had come into possession of a milling interest, but after operating the mill for a period of twenty-one years he returned to Wisconsin since which time he has owned and operated the mill at Millville.

Mr. JONES married Miss Rhoda O. POLLEY, and to them were born seven children, but the eldest child and only son is now deceased. They have an adopted son, however, David L. JONES. The daughters are all living. Fraternally Mr. JONES is a worthy member of W. H. Irwin Post, No. 70, G.A.R., of Nebraska. He takes an active interest in whatever tends to promote the prosperity of the community in which he lives, and is an extensive reader, keeping well informed on the political and general issues of the day. As a gallant soldier in the war for the Union, and one of the highly respected citizens of Millville, he is well deserving of honorable mention in the history of his adopted country.




This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck