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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Lewis Lloyd JONES 

Pages 288-289, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: BLAMEY, DAVIS, GILMORE, GRIM, JENKINS, JONES, KISER, LLOYD, MORGAN] 

    
LEWIS LLOYD JONES, a prosperous farmer and mine owner of Orion Township, having a fine farm, underlying which is a valuable strata of coal, is one of the prominent citizens of Fulton County and is active in its public life. He is of Welsh origin and antecedents, born in Merthyr-Tydfil, Glamorganshire, Wales, March 16, 1827. His parents, Thomas and Hannah (Lloyd) Jones, were natives of the same town, and there they spent their intire life, dying at an advanced age. The father was a miner by occupation. They had a family of twelve children, of whom the following is the record: Thomas, born October 21, 1820, now lives at Dutch Gap, Luzerene County, Pa.; Benjamin, born September 11, 1822, is now a resident of Australia; William, born January 16, 1825, was killed by one of his subordinates while in English Government employ; Lewis L., our subject; Catherine, born January 31, 1829, died at home unmarried; Noah, born February 1, 1830, went to California and engaged in gold mining, and was there murdered in 1853 or 1854; Ruth, born January 1, 1833, married Thomas Jenkins, and died near Scranton, Pa.; Ebenezer, born December 10, 1834, now resides in Mason County, Mo.; Nahomi, born November 30, 1836, married John Blamey, and lives in Scranton, Pa.; Myriam, born September 1, 1838, is married and lives in Scranton, Pa.; Joseph, born March 20, 1841, now lives in Canton; Hannah, born September 26, 1843, married William Jones, and lives in Russia. 
    
The subject of this biography received a limited education in his native town, where he subsequently followed the occupation of a miner until 1849. Ambitious to see more of life and to better his financial condition, in the opening years of a vigorous manhood, he left his old home on the 26th of February, in the year just mentioned, and embarking on a sailing-vessel at Liverpool, England, crossed the Atlantic to this country, landing at New Orleans about the 16th of the following April. From there he proceeded up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to Council Bluffs, and thence went by ox-team to Utah, where he engaged in farming the succeeding eight years. He was, however, not satisfied with the country and his prospects there, and he then came eastward as far as St. Louis, Mo., and for five or six years was engaged in mining in that vicinity. He next came to Canton, in this State, and followed the same calling there until 1870. In that year he bought the place where he now resides on section 30, Orion Township. It comprises one hundred and sixty acres of excellent farming land, which is well cultivated and is amply supplied with neat and substantial buildings, and is in all respects a well-ordered farm. After locating on this place Mr. Jones soon began to prospect for coal, and finally developed a five foot vein of excellent quality, which he has continued to work up to the present time, and derives from that source a good income. Some years he has employed as many as thirty miners, but at present is working only five or six men in the winter season. 
    
While in Utah Mr. Jones was married, in November, 1849, to Elizabeth (Morgan) Davis, widow of James Davis, who is a native of the same town as himself, and came to America in the same vessel on which he crossed the Atlantic. She has been to him a true wife, and is thoroughly devoted to his interests. Of their family the following is noted: Lewis M., now a farmer in Sheridan County, Neb.; Elizabeth, wife of Ephraim Grim, of Canton; Catherine, deceased; Thomas, of Canton; Margaret, wife of George Gilmore, of Canton; David, who died in infancy; and Hannah, who married Albert Kiser, and lives near the homestead. Hannah was adopted when a babe of a year old. William Davis Jones, a son of Mrs. Jones by her first marriage, lives at home and assists our subject in the management of the farm. 
    
Since Mr. Jones has resided here he has been prominently identified with its public and political life, and is a sound and consistent Democrat. He is a man of much energy, tact and business capacity, and his fellow-townsmen have not failed to recognize his superior merits and qualifications, and have called him to responsible offices. He has filled the position of Supervisor for four years, and is now prominently mentioned by his party for County Treasurer. Mr. Jones is a member of the Josephite, or anti-polygamist branch of the Mormon Church, and is considered one of the most substantial as well as one of the best-respected citizens.