J. A. Jones

J. A. JONES, widely known as a representative farmer of Walton township, Labette county, Kansas, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is living in the southwest, quarter of section 22. He was born in Summit county, Ohio, in 1846, and is a son of Nathan S. and Sarah Jones.

Nathan S. Jones and his wife were natives of Ohio, where they lived during their married life. They reared two children: Oscar N., who went to Knox county, Illinois, when he was twenty-one years old, and died shortly afterward; and J. A., the subject of this sketch.

J. A. Jones was not yet two years old when his parents died, and he went to live with an uncle, whose name was James Hammond. James Hammond was a farmer in Knox county, Illinois, where Mr. Jones lived until he located in Labette county, Kansas, in May, 1869. He built the first house on the prairie in the south half of Walton township, and named the township, in 1870, after his old friend, George T. Walton. With an ox team, he hauled lumber from Oswego, to build his house. He first located on the northeast quarter of section 28, where he lived until 1871, when he sold that place, and bought the northwest quarter of the same section, and also his present farm, - the southwest quarter of section 22. In 1873, he built the house which now stands on the land, and the place has been his abode ever since. Mr. Jones carries on general farming and stock raising, and keeps 200 head of cattle. He has been very successful, and is one of the best farmers in the county.

Mr. Jones married Jennie M. Singleton, who was born in Kentucky. She is a cousin of Jesse Harper, who is owner of the famous race horse, Ten Broek. Mr. Jones and his wife have had the following children, namely: Susan A.; James H. and Addie, deceased; Lena J.; Willie B.; Oscar N., deceased; Elsie; John I.; and James A. Lena J. and Willie B. are teachers in the government Indian school in the Chocktaw Nation.

Mr. Jones is independent in politics, and was the first treasurer of the township. He helped to organize its first school district and has served on the school board a number of years. He has also been a justice of the peace. Mr. Jones has served as clerk of the district court one term. He and his family are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Jones is, an upright man, and a good citizen.