Keokuk County Iowa IAGenWeb - 1903 Biography

CHARLES IRONS

Among the brave men who devoted the opening years of their manhood to the defense of their country during the dark days of the Civil war was Charles Irons, a prominent old settler of this county, who is now engaged in the grocery business at Keswick. He was born in Marion county, West Virginia, on the 26th of December, 1839, and is the fourth child and second son of John and Margaret (Powell) Irons, whose sketch appears below. He was about fourteen years of age when he came with the family to Keokuk county, Iowa, and upon a farm in Adams township he grew to manhood, his life being devoted to agricultural pursuits when not in school until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. In 1862 he enlisted for three years as private in Company H, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and he participated in the engagements at Jenkins Ferry and many others in Alabama, assisting in the capture of Spanish Fort. For about six months he was confined in the regimental hospital at Helena, Arkansas, and was then sent home on a furlough, at length rejoining his regiment at Little Rock. He remained in active service until the close of the war, and was then honorably discharged at Rock Island, Illinois, after which he returned to his home with an army record ot which he may be justly proud.

Mr. Irons was then successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1901, when he removed to Keswick and embarked in the grocery business, in which pursuit he is likewise meeting with success, having already built up a good trade. He is still the owner of a good farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres in Adams township, which he rents, and is a stockholder in the Keswick Savings Bank. He assisted in organizing that bank, was one of its directors for some time, and also served as vice president. He is a man of good business and executive ability, who generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and he ranks among the leading and representative citizens of the town. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county and is justly entitled to prominent mention in its history.

JOHN IRONS

Ninety-two years of life filled with useful effort and crowded with respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens have left this venerable resident of Keokuk county still hale and hearty and with every prospect of continued health for some years to come. He was one of the pioneers of this locality and is to-day an honored citizen of Adams township. A native of Maryland, he was born in Alleghany county on the 10th of April, 1810, and is of German descent, his father, John Irons, having come to America with his parents when but six months old. The family located in Frederick county, Maryland, about forty-five miles from Baltimore and there the father of our subject was reared to manhood and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine Hann, who was born and reared in New Jersey. The young couple located upon land in Alleghany county, and there in the midst of the forest the father cleared and improved a farm. Throughout life he engaged in agricultural pursuits. During the early days the family endured many hardships and privations, the country being still in its primitive condition. The mother died when about fifty-eight years of age and the father passed away at the age of seventy-eight. In the family of this worthy couple were fifteen children, twelve of whom reached man and womanhood. There were six sons and six daughters, but only four of the number are now living, one being a resident of Nebraska, another of Kansas and the third of Virginia, while our subject makes his home in Iowa.

On the old home farm John Irons passed the days of his boyhood and youth and on reaching man's estate he was married in West Virginia in 1832 to Miss Margaret Powell, who was born in Monongalia county, near the Marion county line. Fourteen children blessed this union, twelve of whom reached years of maturity. In order of birth they are as follows: Catharine, deceased; Joseph, now a resident of Oregon; Nancy Ann, wife of Decater Higgins; Charles, whose sketch appears on another page of this volumn; John, who entered the Union army for three years' service and was killed in a railroad wreck while on his way home; William, a resident of Nebraska; Levi, a farmer of Adams township, Keokuk county, Iowa; Margaret, the wife of John W. Lightfoot, a resident of California; James, deceased; Warren, a farmer of Adams township, this county; Alice, wife of Andrew Hummer, who lives on the old homestead; and Allen, deceased.

After this marriage Mr. Irons located in Munn county, West Virginia, where he engaged in farming for fourteen years, and continued to make that place his home for two years longer, when he returned to the old homestead in Alleghany county, Maryland, having purchased the same. He continued the operation of that farm until 1853, when he sold the place and came to Iowa, making the journey by team to Adams township, Keokuk county. He entered three hundred and twenty acres of land and to it he added from time to time until he had six hundred acres, part of which was the present town site of Keswick. He continued his farming and stock raising until well advanced in years, when he retired from active labor, leaving the operation of the land to younger hands. Since then he has divided most of his property among his children.

Mr. Irons has been called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who died on the 10th of March, 1900. They had traveled life's journey together for sixty-seven years, two months and twenty-seven days. They had shared with each other life's joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. Although ninety-two years of age he has always been in exceptionally good health, and has never taken a dose of medicine in his life. He is strictly temperate in all his habits, never using liquor, nor has he ever smoked or chewed tobacco, and to his excellent habits may be attributed the fine health which he has enjoyed. On attaining his majority Mr. Irons became identified with the Democratic party and cast his first vote for General Jackson and has since never wavered in his allegiance to that political organization. His fellowcitizens recognize his worth and ability and called upon him to serve in local positions of honor and trust and he was at one time a member of the Grange. He was one of the first settlers of Adams township and for half a century has resided upon his present farm. He is the oldest man living in Keokuk county and no one in the community is held in higher esteem. After a useful and honorable career he can well afiford to lay aside all business cares and live in ease and retirement. As a citizen he has ever stood ready to discharge any duty devolving upon him and the best years of his life were given to the up-building and advancement of his adopted county.

LEVI IRONS

This gentleman has now been identified with the agricultural interests of Keokuk county for forty-eight years, and is to-day the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 21, Adams township, its neat and thrifty appearance testifying to the careful supervision of the owner. Mr. Irons was born in West Virginia on the 14th of January, 1846, and is the fifth son and seventh child in the family of John Irons, of whom extended mention is made in a preceding sketch. At the age of eight years our subject was brought by his parents to this county and under the parental roof he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, his literary education being obtained in the- schools of Adams township. During his minority he gave his father the benefit of his labor in the operation of the home farm, and at the age of twenty-one began farming on his own account on his father's place. A year later he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted
his energies until 1896.

On the 14th of April, 1896, Mr. Irons was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary (Williams) Anderson, a native of Illinois, born in 1850, and a daughter of W. S. Williams, who came to Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1896, and is now engaged in farming here. Mrs. Irons was reared and educated in her native state and was first married in Illinois to Eliakem Anderson, who was born in New Jersey and was a farmer by occupation. In 1886 they came to Iowa and located on a farm in Adams township, Keokuk county, which Mr. Anderson operated throughout the remainder of his life. Being in ill health he entered a hospital in Chicago, but he never recovered and died there in 1892.

After his marriage Mr. Irons located upon his present farm in Adams township, where he owns one hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land, which is under a high state of cultivation. He is a progressive and enterprising farmer and is meeting with good success in his chosen occupation. He has always devoted considerable attention to stock raising and has found that branch of his business quite profitable. In politics he is independent, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office, regardless of party lines. He merits and receives the respect and esteem of all who know him and is one of the valued members of the community in which he lives.

WARREN C. IRONS

Warren C. Irons, who resides on section 29, Adams township, owns and operates a valuable farm of two hundred and eighty acres, whose neat and thrifty appearance well indicates his careful supervision. A native son of Keokuk county, Mr. Irons was born on section 22 of the township where he still resides, his natal day being May 12, 1854, and he is the twelfth child in the family of John and Margaret (Powell) Irons, whose sketch precedes. Upon the home farm our subject was reared to manhood, receiving a good practical education in the district schools of the locality and assisting in the operation of the farm and in herding sheep during his youth. He was married on the 12th of February, i880, to Miss Lizzie Stoner, a daughter of John and Fannie Stoner. Both of her parents are now deceased. The father died in 1869 and the mother in 1872, while Mrs. Irons was called to her final rest, October 27th, 1889. She left one daughter, Rosa E., who was bom October 11, 1889, but died on the 2nd of February, 1890. Mr. Irons was again married, his second union being with Miss C. Anna Fisch, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, May 11, 1863, and is a daughter of Michael and Eva (Lang) Fisch, both natives of Germany, the father having come to the new world when about twelve years of age and the mother when about eighteen. They were married in Muscatine, Iowa. Mr, Fisch, who is a farmer by occupation, now makes his home in Keokuk. In his family were eight children, six daughters and two sons, Mrs. Irons being the sixth in order of birth. Of this family three daughters and one son are now living. By his second marriage Mr. Irons has one daughter, Vera Eva, who was born May 24, 1896, and is now a bright little girl of six summers. His wife spent her girlhood on a farm in Iowa county, Iowa, until twelve years of age and was educated in the common schools.

After his marriage Mr. Irons took up his abode upon the farm where he now resides and has since devoted his energies to its operation. He is a skillful and progressive farmer who has met with success in business and has found stock raising quite a profitable source of income. Besides his property in this county he owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in the Red river valley in Wilkin county, Minnesota. He also has town property in Keswick and is a stockholder in the Keswick Savings Bank. He has made many improvements upon his home place, including the erection of a commodious and pleasant residence in 1900, and everything about the farm plainly indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who is regarded as one of the leading citizens of the community. His entire life has been passed in Adams township and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends. He is industrious and enterprising and to these qualities may be attributed his success in life, while his ballot supports the men and measures of Democracy, and as every true citizen, takes an active interest in public affairs.

JOSEPH B. JACOBS

Joseph B. Jacobs, a retired farmer and old settler of Warren township, Keokuk county, was born in Johnson county, Indiana, February 28, 1836. His father, Austin Jacobs, was a native of Kentucky and in that state spent his childhood days and acquired his education. His natal day was October 21, 1803, and he remained with his parents throughout the period of his minority, removing with them to Wayne county, Indiana. He was married in Wayne county to Susan Borzworth, a native of Preble county, Ohio, in which state she remained with her parents until her marriage. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs were born seven children, four sons and three daughters, as follows: Drusilla, now deceased; Bennett; Nancy; Henry, also deceased; John, who died in infancy; Joseph, and Ruth, who also died in infancy. The mother of these children passed away in 1840 in Indiana, and the same year the father was again married, his second union being with Hannah Walker. They, too, had seven children, namely: Whitcomb, Sarah Frances, Austin, Hannah, Frank, Perry, and Anson. The second wife died in 1853. Five years previous to this Mr. Jacobs had brought his family to Iowa, locating in Keokuk county, near Lancaster. He purchased a farm of seven hundred acres, which was partially improved, and made his home thereon until 1870, when he traded his property for the Goodhart mill and turned his attention to the milling business. On the 24th of December, 1861, he was badly injured in the mill, his clothing being caught in the machinery so that he was thrown into the works and badly crushed, but he recovered and lived until October 21, 1873, when he was called to his final rest, being at that time seventy years of age. His death occurred at his home near the mill and was keenly regretted by many friends. He was always a member of the Democratic party and also of the Baptist church.

Joseph B. Jacobs spent his early childhood days in Indiana and at the age of twelve years accompanied his father to Iowa. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age and on the 24th of December, 1S58, made preparations for having a home of his own by his marriage to Mary H. Vittetoe, a native of Morgan county, Indiana, where she spent her early childhood, coming with her parents to Iowa when a maiden of seven summers. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs was blessed with six children, four sons and two daughters. These were: William Chester, who died in infancy; Isabelle and Luella, both deceased; Edson M.; James and John, who are deceased. The mother died August 2, 1869, at her home three miles south of Delta, and on the 2d of February, 1870, Mr. Jacobs was again married, his second union being with Mary A. Coble, a native of Morgan county, Indiana. They are the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters: Joseph, Florence, John, all deceased; and Minnie, the wife of John Hasty, Jr. The mother of these died September 16, 1883, and September 24, 1884, Mr. Jacobs married Mrs. Sarah Frazer, nee Bass.

After coming to Iowa Mr. Jacobs resided upon his farm until the death of his first wife. Since 1884 Mr. Jacobs has resided in Delta. He has led an agricultural life and gained a comfortable competence, which now enables him to put aside business cares. He is a staunch advocate of the Prohibition party and has been honored with a number of political positions of trust and responsibility. In 1884 he was elected a member of the board of county supervisors and filled that position for three years. He has also held all the township offices and was a member of the town council of Delta, of the school board and was mayor of the town. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Delta and gives an active and earnest support to every measure and movement which he believes will contribute to the general good. For more than a half century he has lived in this county and well deserves to be numbered among its honored pioneer citizens.

ALBERT P. JOHNSON, B.C.E., M.D.

Albert P. Johnson, M.D., is a leading physician of Sigourney, Iowa, in which state he was born in the village of Lancaster, Keokuk county, May 29, 1862, and he is the son of Charles A. and Mary G. (Gray) Johnson, who are mentioned below.

The rearing of Dr. Johnson was among farm surroundings and his education was obtained in the pubhc schools, later becoming an instructor himself in the country neighborhoods. After a year of teaching he entered the Iowa State Agricultural College, where he graduated in the department of civil engineering in November, 1886. Prior to this, however, he had spent two years engaged in surveying in Wyoming and New Mexico, and immediately after graduating was offered and accepted the principalship of the schools of What Cheer, Iowa. Two more years were devoted to civil engineering in the upper peninsula of Michigan, and then he was prepared to put into operation a plan which had been his desire from youth, that of studying medicine. In 1889 he entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated therefrom in 1891, locating at Sigourney, where he has since remained. In 1892 he took a post-graduate course in the Post-Graduate School of Medicine at St. Louis, and thus thoroughly equipped, has built up a large and lucrative general practice.

Dr. Johnson is not only educated in his special line, but, as we have seen, is thoroughly competent to fill other professional positions. He is a deep thinker and great student and keeps abreast of the discoveries in his science, and is an active and useful member of Keokuk county, the South-eastern Iowa and the Iowa State medical societies, and is also a member of the insane commission for Keokuk county. In politics he is a Republican, but his strenuous life leaves little time for activity in that direction. His fraternal connection is with the Knights of Pythias.

In 1891 Dr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Viola Passig, of Sigourney, and one son has been born to this union, namely Alcuin Passig.

CHARLES A. JOHNSON

Charles A. Johnson, the father of the leading physician of Sigourney, Iowa, Dr. Albert Johnson, was born May 8, 1825, at Yster, Sweden, a son of Peter and Boel Johnson, who passed their whole lives in that country and reared a family of eleven daughters and one son. At the dge of sixteen years, this son left home and traveled from place to place, working at tailorihg, through Sweden, Norway, Russia, England and France. After an absence of eight years he returned to the old home and for three years conducted a tailoring shop there; but he started then upon his travels agaihj which landed him in New York in September, 1851. He remained in this city until the following April and during this time met and was warmly welcomed by his famous cousin, the Swedish nightingale, Jenny Lind. From New York City he drifted to Albany, thence to Buffalo, Dunkirk, Detroit and then to Chicago, leaving the latter place hurriedly on account of the prevalence of cholera. For a short time he was at La Salle, Illinois, and then remained for six months in Princeton, went then to Peoria, on to St. Louis, to Burlington and Fairfield, Iowa, and on May 24, 1854, located at Lancaster, Iowa, where he opened a tailoring establishment.

In Septernber, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, and served his adopted country faithfully for three years and two months and is now an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

In 1855 he married Mary Gray, who became the mother of eight children, and died in 1896. In 1900 he married Mts. Eliza (Davenport) Roberts.

Mr. Johnson has traveled over almost all of the west and has spent considerable time in Kansas and Colorado.

CURTIS G. JOHNSTON

Among those of this county who are prorninent in the legal profession we mention Curtis G. Johnston of Sigourney. Although he had the advantages of a college training, his advancement is due largely to his own efforts and private study. He was horn on a farm in Jefferson county, Ohio, June 17, 1837. His father, William, was the son of John Johnston, a native of Ireland and one of the very early settlers of Jefferson county, Ohio. It is very probable that William was horn in the Buckeye state. He was a carpenter by trade but also engaged in farming and in connection therewith operated a saw and grist-mill. He married twice; by his first wife he had three children, and he had several more by the second wife, who was the mother of Curtis. She was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and traced her ancestry back to one Hugh Scott, a native of Scotland. Her maiden name -yvas Rosanna Todd. She and her husband were members of the Protestant Methodist church. Wilham Johnston belonged to the Whigs. Both he and his wife died in Ohio.

After finishing the common school Curtis Johnston attended a college in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He taught school several terms and then went west, arriving at Davenport, January 13, 1858. He secured a clerical position in a law office at that city, and thus his law studies began. In March, 1859, he was admitted to the bar upon examination before Judge John F. Dillon. In April of the same year he left Davenport, returned to Ohio, entered a law office, continued his studies and in January, 1860, was admitted to the bar of Ohio. He opened an office in Steubenville, but soon after left for Washington, D. C, where he secured a position in the treasury department under Secretary Chase. He held the position four years. In September, 1867, he went west under leave of absence, visited Sigourney and decided to locate in that city. He resigned his position at Washington and moved to Sigourney December 16, 1867. He opened a law office and has continued his practice ever since. Mr. Johnston is not an office seeker; he belongs in the ranks of the Republican party.

On February 26, 1867, Mr. Johnston married Hannah Updegraft in Ohio; she is a native of that state. They have four children: Edward A., an attorney-at-law; Josiah M., a physician at Des Moines, Iowa; Zella, wife of S. Carl Quinby, of Des Moines; and Thomas K., who lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are members of the Adventist church. In the summer of 1864 Mr. Johnston joined a party of volunteers in the noble service of the hospital corps. They cared for the sick and wounded through the campaign of the Wilderness under the surgeon general of the United States army.

O. N. JOHNSON

The life history of him whose name heads this sketch is closely identified with the history of Keokuk county, which has been his home since he was four years of age. He began his career in the early pioneer epoch of the county and throughout the years which have since come and gone he has been closely allied with its interests and upbuilding. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a degree of success attained by comparatively few men, for he is known throughout the county as one of its leading agriculturists and one of the substantial business men of the town of Richland, where he is serving as vice president of the Union State Bank.

Mr. Johnson was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, on the 9th of March, 1842. His father, the Hon. J. C. Johnson, claimed North Carolina as the state of his nativity, and he was a son of Jeremiah Johnson, also a native of that commonwealth. The son, J. C, accompanied his parents on their removal to Hendricks county, Indiana, when he was eighteen years of age, and there he became identified with agricultural pursuits. Remaining in the Hoosier state until 1846, he then came with horse and ox teams to Keokuk county, Iowa, and the part which he took in founding and developing the county well entitled him to be inscribed high on the roll of Keokuk's honored pioneers and eminent men. During his first season here he farmed on rented land in Richland township, after which lie purchased a farm east of the village of Richland, but subsequently sold his possessions here and returned to his old home in Indiana. The old Hoosier state, however, did not long claim him among its residents, for he soon came again to Iowa, this time purchasing eighty acres of prairie land near Richland, and sixty acres of white oak timber land. He also entered into business pursuits in the village, but shortly afterward he retired from the active duties of life, and his death occurred in 1892, when he had reached the seventy-seventh milestone on the journey of life. He was an active factor in the public life of the community, was a staunch Republican in his political affiliations, and was the choice of his party for the office of state senator on one occasion, in which important position he served for one term. He was also called upon to fill many local offices, and his fidelity to the public trust in the discharge of his official duties was most marked. In his fraternal relations he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The marriage of Mr. Johnson was celebrated in Indiana, where Miss Prudence Saunders became his wife. She was a native daughter of the Buckeye state, but was reared in Indiana, and her death occurred in her sixty-sixth year. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson was blessed with two daughters and a son, the former being Amanda, the wife of H. W. Troay, and Martha, the wife of J. M. Warker, of Richland. The only son in this family, O. N. Johnson, was but four years of age when he was brought by his parents to Keokuk county, Iowa, being reared on a farm in Richland township, while his early mental training was received in the schools of the village of Richland. Remaining under the parental roof until his marriage, he then removed to a tract of forty acres, and in 1865 he became the owner of the place on tthich he now resides. At the time of the purchase the place was practically unimproved, and the many and valuable accessories which have since been added stand as monuments to his thrift and ability. During the past thirty-five years, in addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this soil and climate, he has also been extensively engaged in the stock business, and in both lines of endeavor success has crowned his efforts. He is now the owner of four hundred acres of rich and fertile land, which is divided into three farms, and all are well improved with good residences, barns and outbuildings. In 1895 Mr. Johnson purchased the interest of Mr. Stroup in the John Stroup Bank and was made its president. One year later this institution was organized into the Union State Bank, of which Mr. Johnson was made vice president, its president being Charles Keiser. In the business circles of Keokuk county our subject has long been an important factor, and his popularity is well deserved, for in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that has never flagged.

In 1864 occurred the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Julia Duke. The lady was a native of Virginia but came to Keokuk county, Iowa, when sixteen years of age, and was a daughter of Thomas Duke. Two children were born of this union, Floyd M., who married Dora Reed, and is engaged in railroad work; and Raymond, a veterinary surgeon of St. Joe, Missouri, and for the past three years he has served as a government inspector; he married Kate Connors. In 1882 the loving wife and mother was summoned to eternal rest, and for his present wife Mr. Johnson chose Delia Hill, a native of Indiana. He, too, is a staunch supporter of Republican principles, while his fraternal relations for a number of years connected him with Richland Lodge, No. 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Nearly all his life having been spent in Keokuk county, he is widely known among its citizens and is held in uniform regard.

DAVID JONES, M.D.

David Jones, M.D., a prominent old settler of Richland township, Keokuk county, Iowa, was born in Blount county, Tennessee, October 31, 1829, and is a son of James and Rebecca (Alorgan) Jones, the former of whom was born and reared near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thomas Jones, the grandfather of Dr. Jones, was born in Wales and came in boyhood to America with his parents, who settled in Pennsylvania. This family has been members of the Society of Friends for generations. James Jones was for a great many years an elder and was a man of most estimable life, who died at the age of seventy years. He married Rebecca Morgan, whose great-grandfather accompanied William Penn on his second voyage to America and was one of Penn's admirers and supporters. Thomas Morgan, the maternal grandfather of Dr. Jones, was of English descent, a farmer by occupation, and a man of prominence and respectability. The mother died at the age of seventy-three years. The parents of Dr. Jones had six sons to grow to manhood and two daughters to reach maturity.

Dr. Jones was the youngest son of his parents, and he was reared in the old home in Tennessee, and attended the local schools. Later he was sent to a boarding-school at New Garden, North Carolina, which has now been transformed into Guilford College. At the age of twenty years he began teaching and followed this profession in North Carolina and Tennessee, later becoming one of the instructors at Friendsville Institute, in the latter state, which position he held for two years. In 1861 he came to Keokuk county, Iowa, and began teaching at Pleasantplain, in Jefferson county, continuing until 1873 and most acceptably filling positions both in town and country. During this time the young man had been studying medicine and in the fall of 1873 began practice in Richland, remaining active in this profession until 1898, when he retired.

In 1852 Dr. Jones was married to Rebecca P. Jones, who is a daughter of James and Sarah (Smitzer) Jones, of Tennessee, and to this union was born a family of seven sons and one daughter, as follows: James M.; Elisha R.; Francis A.; Mattie E., who married William A, Goodman; John L.; Walter S.; Benjamin C.; and Joseph C. Dr. Jones is a leading member of the Society of Friends in this locality, and for more ihan twenty years has been an elder, in simplicity of life exemplifying the admirable principles he professes. In his early days he was a Whig in political sentiment, and is now a deeply interested Republican. Dr. Jones is one of the most highly respected citizens of Richland.

JACOB JONES

Jacob Jones, a member of the grocery firm of Jones Brothers of Richland, Keokuk county, Iowa, was born in Blount county, Tennessee, March 14, 1848, and is a son of Hezekiah and Jerusha (Bales) Jones, who were married in Tennessee, and moved to Keokuk county in 1851, locating on a farm two miles north of Richland. Later Mr. Jones was engaged in a grocery business at Pleasantplain, Iowa, for some thirteen years, returning then to his farm, where he now resides at the age of eighty years. The mother of our subject was born and reared in Tennessee and was married in Greene county, and is now seventy-nine years of age. Both she and her husband were reared in the Society of Friends, her father, David Bales, being a very prominent member. He lived to the age of one hundred years. The Jones family is of Welsh descent. The family born to the parents of our subject numbered ten children, their names being as follows: Abigail, who died when about fifty-six years old; David H., who is a farmer near Pleasantplain, Iowa; Jacob and Isaac, who were twins, the latter of whom died at the age of twenty-eight years; Rebecca A., who is the wife of Ezra Hadley of Jefferson county, Iowa; William W., who resides in Richland township, on the old homestead; Emma, who was the wife of T. A. Hill, passed away at the age of twenty-five years; H. Morgan, who is a member of the firm of Jones Brothers; Lewis E., who is a resident of Pleasantplain; and Joseph John, who died at the age of two years.

Jacob Jones was reared on the farm in Richland township and obtained his education in the local schools, supplemented with four terms at Penn College at Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he took a complete commercial course. After finishing school he engaged in teaching for eight terms, all but one in Keokuk county, and then began in the grocery business in the capacity of a clerk. He remained for three years with Swearingen & Stalker in Richland, and later was with other firms, thus thoroughly mastering every detail of the trade. Thus equipped, in 1884 he formed a partnership with T. A. Hill in the grocery business, but six months later Mr. Hill withdrew and Morgan Jones, a younger brother of our subject, took his interest, and since that time the firm style has been Jones Brothers, and has grown into one of the leading houses in Richland.

On September 18, 1888, Mr. Jones was married to M. Sue Paxton, who was bom in Virginia and is the daughter of George W. and Edith (Price) Paxton. Four children have been born to this union, namely: Florence L., Frances E., Harold J., and an infant. Mr. Jones was reared as a Friend and is an earnest worker for the interests of the Society and is active in the Sabbath-school. Since he was three years old he has lived in Richland township, and since attaining years of discretion has cast his influence in the direction of education and morality and has furthered as far as possible all legitimate temperance movements. In politics he is a Republican and at different times has served in the town council. Mr. Jones is a good citizen and as such is universally held in esteem.

JOHN P. JONES

Among the prominent agriculturists of Keokuk county, there are few better known or more widely respected than Mr. Jones, the veterinary surgeon and horse dentist of Steady Run. Coming to this region in 1845, when a mere infant, he has grown up with the country, and having spent the greater part of his hfe on the farm, there are few, if any, who excel him in practical knowledge of agriculture. He was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, February 27, 1844, and is the son of Alexander and Comfort T. (Ford) Jones.

Alexander Jones, also a veterinary surgeon and a prosperous agriculturist, was one of those strong, vigorous men who assisted in the opening up of this county to settlers. Born in North Carolina, August 8, 1806, he was by his father of Welch extraction and by his mother of English. When a lad nine years old he moved with his parents to a farm in east Tennessee, where he spent his youth and early manhood. In the schools of his neighborhood he received a fair education, and on the home farm practical training for his life work. At the early age of eighteen he rented a farm in his vicinity and started life for himself. At this same time he married Comfort T. Ford, who was born in Tennessee, July 31, 1800, and there grew to womanhood. Of this union there were seven children, the first three of whom were born in Tennessee, Henry, October 16, 1825; Mary, October 8, 1828; and Sarah, May 16, 1831. William was born in Indiana, November 27, 1833; Cynthy Ann, February 24, 1836; John P. is mentioned below; and Alexander was born on the Steady Run homestead, September 29, 1846. Mrs. Jones was a sympathetic wife and mother and a great help to her husband. She died June 14, 1878.

Alexander Jones continued on the rented farm in Tennessee until he was twenty-seven years old, when he moved his family to Indiana, where he settled on a farm of his own. Here he put forth his strong manly efforts in the opening up of the new country, and made his farm one of the most productive in his section. After eight years, however, he decided to cast his lot with the new settlers of Iowa, and moved with his wife and children to Jefferson county in 1841. Here he rented a farm upon which he remained until 1845. In the meantime he found in Keokuk county a hundred and twenty acre tract of new land which struck him as an excellent place for a permanent settlement, located as it was in the fertile district of Steady Run. Coming into possession of this in 1845, he moved here and spent the rest of his active life in clearing up and improving it. He had in time a very attractive place, and became one of the well-to-do farmers of this region. Besides attending to the active duties of his estate he was employed by farmers far and near as a veterinary surgeon. This profession he had learned from his forefathers, many of whom had practiced it for generations. Being very successful in this line he materially increased his income by his practice. He lived to the age of seventy-eight, and died December 3, 1884. His last days were spent in retirement. As one of the intelligent early settlers of the county Mr. Jones always had a great deal to do with public affairs. For a number of years he served as trustee of his town, and managed affairs with wisdom and fidelity, which reflected great credit upon his integrity, and his remarkable business ability. He was one of the substantial members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination
of his place, and assisted materially in the building of the church.

John P. Jones has spent the greater part of his life in Keokuk county. Coming here with his father when but one year old, he received his education in the schools of his neighborhood, which he attended at irregular periods until he was twenty-three years old. During this period of his life especially during the later years he assisted his father in clearing up the farm, and also in his professional duties, becoming an adept in the last. At the age of twenty-three he assumed the entire management of the farm, which he has since continued. On September I, 1867, he married Martha J. Stubbs, who was born in Tennessee, November 1, 1837, and there grew to womanhood. In 1865 she moved with her parents, C. N. and Mary E. Stubbs, to a farm in Keokuk county, where she resided until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had seven children: Henry L., born June 7, 1868; Mary A., October 24, 1869; Sarah E., September 4, 1871; John W., August 26, 1873; Julia A., October 10, 1875; Lucie C, January 11, 1878; and Alexander J., June 22, 1.880. All were born and reared on the family homestead.

Mr. Jones has proved himself quite as able an agriculturist as his father was, and he has a farm of which he may well be proud. As a farmer, he is progressive and thoroughly up-to-date, and at the same time is extremely practical. Aside from his agricultural work, he has an extensive practice as a veterinary surgeon and horse dentist, at which he is very successful. He has made well out of his different lines of business, and is considered one of the well-to-do farmers of his county. As was his father, Mr. Jones is an ardent Democrat in politics and takes an active interest in public affairs. Reared in the Methodist faith, he is an earnest member of that church, of which he has held several offices and is now acting as trustee, performing his duties with fidelity and marked ability. He is well and favorably known and has hosts of friends throughout his county.