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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Alfred Jones

Alfred Jones was born in Polk county. Iowa, in 1854 and is a son of Samuel and Eunice (Powers) Jones. the latter a native of Ohio. The father was born in Pennsylvania. but removed to Ohio at an early day and in 1848 he drove from that state to Polk county, Iowa, where he entered land upon which the city of Des Moines now stands. He lived in Polk county up to the time of his death, in 1898, which occurred in his eightieth year. In his family were nine children. four of whom are now living.

Alfred Jones received his early education in the common schools. His boyhood days were passed quietly under the parental roof. The early life of almost any farmer lad would show us a facsimile of his boyhood. The common schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges and since leaving the schoolroom he has added not a little to his fund of knowledge, for he possesses a retentive memory and an observing eye. He came to Greene county in 1878, locating on section 3, Willow township, where he bought eighty acres of land from Mr. Peterson. So successful were his agricultural ventures that he later added eighty acres more on the same section and after a few years forty acres on section 2. All of this land Mr. Jones broke, fenced, tiled and improved. He has erected a splendid nine-room home, a barn forty by forty-eight. and followed general farming and stock-raising.

In 1877, Mr. Jones was united in marriage, in Polk county, to Anna Law, a native of New York City. who came to Des Moines with her father and mother. Andrew and Mary (Bell) Law. These people were influential agriculturists in Polk county for many years. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones: Mamie, Mrs. Emma Cane, Sadie and Viola, and two who died young.

Mr. Jones has always been active in assisting the republican party in their campaigns and has served as township trustee for a number of years. He is an active member of the Methodist church, to which he gives both spiritual and material support. He has made his own way in the world, acquiring his prosperity largely through his own unaided efforts, and by persevering industry, integrity and good habits he has won the respect and esteem of all with whom he has to do, while as an agriculturist his ability and uniform success have been marked. His home is artistic in every respect and the beautiful shade trees which surround it have all been set out by Mr. Jones. He has in addition a splendid orchard and his place gives evidence of careful attention.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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