James W. Jones of Texas County, Missouri

Hon. James W. Jones. Among the prominent citizens and prosperous farmers of Texas County, Mo., who started in life for themselves with a very small portion of this world’s goods, but who have attained a secure and high position on the ladder of success, may be mentioned Mr. Jones, who is the youngest of ten children, and was born in Clinton County, Ky., April 20, 1823. He acquired a good education in his youthful days, and at the age of twenty years left home, and came to Chariton County, Mo., where he was first engaged in breaking hemp at $12 per month, and at the breaking out of the Mexican War enlisted in Company K, Second Missouri Cavalry, under Col. Sterling Price, and was out twelve months, participating in the battles of Cannatta, Lamputher and Toas. At the last named battle he received a wound in the left thigh that came very near being fatal. In 1850 he went to California, driving an ox team as far as Salt Lake, and made the rest of the way on horseback. He was engaged in mining in that State until 1853, then went to Australia, where he mined for about a year, then returned to his home, and engaged in farming in Chariton County. During the late war he served for a short time in the Missouri State Guard, and April 3, 1855, was married to Mary Porch, a native of Tennessee, born May 28, 1821, her father being Israel, the first settler of Porch’s Prairie, in Chariton County. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones a family of three children were born: Jonathan, John and an infant (deceased). Both sons are married, and residing near their parents. Mr. Jones is the owner of 1,000 acres of land, with about 300 acres under cultivation, and owing to his many sterling business qualities his labors have been attended with good success. While in Chariton County he held the office of justice of the peace, and in 1877-78 he represented Texas County in the State Legislature. He is a Democrat and Mason, and a son of Jonathan and Mary (Humphries) Jones, who were born, respectively, in North Carolina and Georgia. At an early day the father moved with his brother, on pack-horses, from North Carolina to Kentucky, and settled in Clinton County, whither the mother came when a young woman. They were married and spent their lives in that county, and were engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in his political views the father was a Democrat. They were members of the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches, and died at the ages of sixty-five and seventy-three, respectively.