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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 Simeon JONES 

Page 419, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: CURTIS, JONES, McCAUSLAND] 

    
SIMEON JONES. It is a generally conceded fact that the farmer enjoys a greater amount of personal freedom than any other man who is engaged in the busy and almost endless task of accumulating money. There is something about life in the country where one is surrounded by Nature on every side, that seems to bring a quietness and peace found nowhere else. 
    
Our subject, who is at present a prosperous farmer of Kerton Township, was born in South Bend, Ind., on the 11th of April, 1845. His father, Seabron Jones, was born in Ohio, but removed to Indiana when a young man, settling near South Bend. He was married there to Miss Fetna Curtis, and in 1849 removed to Illinois, making the trip by wagon and camping on the way. He settled at Bath, Mason County, where he remained one year, and then moved to this county, on section 17, Kerton Township, where he rented land and farmed. His father was a member of the Democratic party. He died in 1853. His wife died at the age of sixty-five. To them were born six children, viz: Nancy, Warren, Ada, Anna, Simeon, and Henry, only three of whom are living at the present time, viz: Anna, Warren, and Simeon. 
    
Mr. Jones came to this place with his parents when he was only four years of age, and attended school in the little log schoolhouse in his neighborhood, but received a very limited educational training, the matter of education not receiving any of the care that is universally given it now in all parts of the country. At an early age he commenced working on a farm, and when only twelve years of age he worked for one man, and received in payment for his labor $9 per month at the start, and afterward received $30. 
    
Our subject, in March, 1870, married Miss Josephine McCausland. Her parents were born in Canada, but her birth occurred in this State, and she received her education in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born five children, all of whom are living, viz: Adda L., Irvin O., Rosa, Scott and Kennett. After his marriage our subject rented a place for four years, and at the end of that time bought eighty acres of land, and lived on the same for a period of ten years. The place was little improved, and the only dwelling house was a small log cabin. He soon cleared thirty acres of the land, and built a nice house and large barn, and still owns the place, although he is now living on property which he has rented for five years, and which is a picturesque spot. The house stands on the edge of the bluffs that overhang the Illinois River, and commands a fine view of the beautiful landscape around. He is a member of the Democratic party, and is popular in political circles. He is held in the highest esteem throughout the township, and has been Road Commissioner for the past nine years.