ZACHARIAH JONES

JONES, MARSTON, MCMAHAN, FARMER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/6/2020 at 21:21:46

ZACHARIAH JONES, - Zachariah Jones was born Nov. 22, 1795, in Stokes County, North Carolina, and was the second child of seven children, whose parents were Robert Jones and Ann Marston, who were both natives of Delaware, and agriculturist by occupation. They were in comfortable, circumstances in life, and people distinguished for intelligence and piety. They gave their children but a limited education, as at that early date, the schools were not in a fair condition. Zachariah was early inured to farm labor and the results of that early training are now plainly conspicuous in a body that is remarkable for a buoyancy that is allotted to few gentlemen of the age of seventy-eight. He followed farming till the age of twenty-five. When he married and settled on a farm of his own. About the year 1820, he was united in marriage to Rebecca McMahan, who was a native of North Carolina, and was of parents who were also residents of North Carolina. In 1838, he left North Carolina, and came to Cincinnati, Ohio. He immediately engaged in trading, an accompanied his merchandise on the river flatboat to New Orleans. He carried on this trade for a period of about five years. In 1830, he lost his wife, who left him four children, who are all now living. J. B. Jones, his eldest son, is now a banker in Covington, Kentucky; R. A. Jones, his next son, is Treasurer of the Covington & Lexington Railroad. When Mr. Jones quit trading by river with New Orleans, he began buying horses, which he took to the Southern trade. He followed this pursuit till about 1842. In February, 1837, he was united in marriage to his second wife, Mary Farmer, who was a native of England. He is father of one child by his second wife. In 1842, he bought out an omnibus line, which he ran from Broadway street, Cincinnati, to Sportsman's Hall, up the river road. He continued at this business for a period of about five years. He then moved to Clermont County, Ohio, and went into the mill business. Which employed his attention for a period of about seven years. From that time to this, he has never been actively engaged in any pursuit of a business character. In 1865, he left Clermont County, Ohio, and came to Fort Madison, Iowa, where he has since resided. In November, 1871, he lost his second wife, who died at the age of sixty-five. Seven of his step-children are now living and enjoying good health and honorable positions in life. In politics he is a strong Republican; voted first for Madison. He was identified with the Whig party from its initiation till it lost a distinguishing organization; he has been a strong Republican ever since. In religion, Mr. Jones has never permitted himself to be circumscribed by the doctrines of churches. His religion may be summed up as the embodiment of charity for all, with malice towards none. Mr. Jones has taken great interest in the welfare of his children. His boys have all been given a good education, and are now filling positions of honor and public benefit.

Although Mr. Jones has passed a long life in the active pursuits that have just been narrated, and is now at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, his constitution and appearance indicate a youthful expression that is astonishing. It may be in taste to remark that while his life has been one of ceaseless activity, and the powers of his mind of farm more than the ordinary strength, that he has never permitted himself to accept any position of a public political nature. He has always been radical in his political views, but has had an aversion to offices of public nature.

In appearance, Mr. Jones is somewhat above the medium height. His whole action indicates determination and self-reliance. In society, he is pleasant and affable, and takes great interest in the company of the young. We find him to-day surrounded by friends, enjoying the comforts of a happy home that his own exertions have acquired.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer