Lewis Jones

JONES, BOGHT, LENT

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/15/2011 at 13:23:33

LEWIS JONES has made farming his life work, and his energies are now devoted to that pursuit. He resided on section 24, Lincoln Township, Grundy County, and is recognized as one of the representative farmers of the community. Born in Carroll County, Ill., in 1843, he is a son of Richard and Margaret (Jones) Jones, both of whom were natives of Wales. The father was a farmer, and belonged to a well-to-do family of land-owners in that county. He was one of a family of five children, and with his parents he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in childhood, the family locating in Bradford County, Pa., where he was reared and educated. After arriving at mature years, he was there married. His wife also came with her parents to this country in early life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born the following children: Owen, Edward and Daniel, who are now deceased; John, Ellis, Margaret, Lewis; Elizabeth, deceased; and Samuel.

The father of this family sold his farm in Pennsylvania about 1850, and came to Ogle County, Ill., where for two years he rented land. He then removed to Carroll County, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, and afterward added to it another quarter-section. In an early day he engaged in teaming in Chicago, hauling his farm products to market at that place. He became a prominent and influential citizen of the community in which he lived, and was honored with a number of local offices. In politics he was a Whig, and afterward became a Republican. He died of consumption at an advanced age. His wife still survives him.

At the age of nineteen years Lewis Jones began to earn his own livelihood by working by the month as a farm hand. He was thus employed for three years, when he determined that his labors should benefit himself, and rented land for two years. He afterward spent another year as a farm hand, and then again began renting. He has now been a resident of Grundy County, Iowa, for sixteen years. On his arrival, he purchased the eighty-acre farm on which he now resides, and which he has placed under a high state of cultivation.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Jones was in her maidenhood Emily Boght. She was born in Illinois, and is a daughter of Hiram and Nancy (Lent) Boght, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and were of German and English descent respectively. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born five children: Lawrence H., John R.; Joseph and Josie, twins; and Nancy E. In his political views Mr. Jones is a Democrat.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894