The honored subject of this sketch is a representative of one of the
sterling pioneer families of Marion county and is personally identified with
the industrial interests of this section of the state where he has spent his
life, being the owner of a fine farming property in Kinmundy township.
Samuel W. Jones was born in Marion county, Illinois, September 15, 1858,
and he has preferred to spend his entire life within the borders of the
same, where he believed he would have better advantages among the people
where the Jones family had long been noted for their industry and honesty,
than he would have in other counties of this or any other state of our great
Union. He is the son of Jackson C. and Margaret (Whiteside) Jones. A history
of the subject's father and mother and their ancestry will be found under
the head of James R. Jones, whose sketch appears in another part of this
volume.
Our subject received his early education in the district
schools where he applied himself in a diligent manner to his books and
received a fairly good education, having fed a large herd of his father's
cattle in the meantime. He left school at the age of nineteen and began
farming, which enterprise he has since been identified with and which he has
made a great success, being recognized today as one of the leading
agriculturists of his community. He has prospered until he has become the
owner of a valuable farm consisting of one hundred and thirty-five acres.
His land is under a high state of cultivation and the soil has been kept in
a very good condition through proper management until excellent crops are
reaped from it year by year, the subject being thus enabled to make a
comfortable living and also lay by something for the future. He has a good
income also from his stock, being especially interested in the raising of
Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep, both being noted for their excellent
quality, for Mr. Jones certainly understands the successful handling of
stock. He has a nice, modem and comfortable dwelling and a large number of
good outbuildings, in fact everything about his place shows excellent
management and prosperity.
Our subject was united in marriage
September 20, 1877, to Hannah Atkins, who was born in Foster township,
Marion county, December 24, 1861, the daughter, of Nathan Atkins, who was
born August 28, 1817, in Alabama. He came to Illinois when a young man and
took up government land, cleared a farm which he continued to work the rest
of his life and on which he reared a family of twelve children, eight boys
and four girls, five of whom are still living. Their names are James, Moses,
John, Thomas, Barbara, Margaret, George, all deceased: Joseph, Richard,
Hannah, Elizabeth and Catherine, all living. Nathan Atkins has long since
passed to his rest. He married Mary Garrett, the daughter of Moses and
Hannah Garrett, pioneers of this county.
Our subject and wife are the
parents of three living children and one child that is dead. Their names
are, Charles W., William O., deceased; Bessie C., and Mary J. Charles W.
Jones married Susie Pearson, and they have one son, named Carroll G. William
Pearson, the father of Charles W. Jones's wife, was born in Marion county.
Her mother's name was Emiline Anglin, who was also born in this county.
William Pearson was the father of six children, two boys and four girls.
Mrs. Hannah Jones was educated, in the country schools of this county where
she diligently applied herself until she was sixteen years of age when she
was married to our subject who was nineteen. She is a good housewife and
mother, of a cheerful disposition and is beloved by all who know her for her
many beautiful traits of character.
Our subject, while not a member
of any church, is a believer of the principles of Christianity and good
government. He is a stanch Democrat and his support can always be depended
upon when any measure looking to the public good are at issue.
Extracted 09 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 221-222.