Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 744 - 745 

JOSEPH W. JONES, of Viola Township, preempted the southwest quarter of section 20, in the spring of 1876, and has since been closely identified with the pioneers of that region. A native of Parke County, Ind., he was born Nov. 13, 1841, and is the son of Nacy Harrison Jones, who was also a native of that State, where he was married in early manhood to Miss Rachel P. Finney.

            The mother of our subject was a native of the same State as her husband and son, in which they continued until the spring of 1850, when they removed to Will County, Ill., where her death took place about 1857, leaving five children. Of these the eldest, Oliver P., is a resident of Santa Ana, Cal.; Joseph W., of our sketch, was the second born; Polly Ann Elizabeth, now Mrs. Phelps, is a resident of Joliet, Ill.; Permelia C., Mrs. Swivel, is a resident of Clifton, Ill.; Sarah S., Mrs. McAfee, is a resident of Sheldon, Ill.

             The subject of this biography was a lad eight years of age when he removed with his father's family to Illinois, where he completed a common-school education, and developed into manhood. In the meantime he assisted his father in carrying on the farm, and on the 26th of January, 1865, took unto himself a wife and helpmate, Miss Mary Gawthrop, who was born in St. Joseph County, Mich. Her parents, Elijah and Christina (Miller) Gawthrop, were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Jones, after their marriage, commenced life in a manner corresponding to their means, and Mr. J. employed himself in cultivating a tract of land in Will County. After a few years he was enabled to purchase a farm, but in 1876 left the Prairie State, and coming to this county, settled upon the land which comprises his present homestead. Here he has a quarter-section under good cultivation, and which is mostly devoted to the raising of grain and stock.

             The household circle of our subject and his wife was completed by the birth of four children, of whom one daughter, Laura A., died at the homestead in Viola Township, when an interesting maiden of seventeen years. The three surviving are Amos W., Oscar C. and Christenia B., who continue with their parents. Mr. Jones is a supporter of Republican principles, and has been somewhat prominent in local affairs, serving as Treasurer, both of the township and the School Board. He assisted in the organization of the Presbyterian Church, in Viola Township, in which he has been an Elder for many years.

             Mr. Jones, upon leaving Illinois, had but $300, and the greater portion of that was expended in the removal of his family. They have not found the climate entirely suited to their health, but Mr. Jones is of that steady and industrious disposition which makes him disinclined to removal unless absolutely necessary, and so he purposes to follow his moderate successes in Sedgwick County.

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