Jones, Margaret Jane

JONES, TREASE

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 1/19/2014 at 19:47:59

Iowa Pioneer Writes History
Hears Rhodes Broadcast, Says She Can Span 90 Years of Iowa History
DAVENPORT – Mrs. Margaret Jane Jones, now 91 years of age, is another of those Iowans whose life can span that of the state of Iowa, it was revealed today following the broadcast of the Rhodes Weekly News Digest over Station WHO Saturday evening relative to the state’s birthday this week.
Mrs. Jones was born on her father’s homestead three miles from Fort Madison on Aug. 7, 1845, she relates. The area was then known as the territory of Wisconsin. She was a little over a year old when Iowa was admitted to the union as a state, Dec. 28, 1846.
Few in List
In the course of the Rhodes broadcast last Saturday, the comment was made that there are few living today who can span the life of the state over the 90-year stretch. At that time it was recalled that at least one in Jasper county can do that – George Trease of Lynnville who is 93. Mr. Trease came to Lynn Grove township early in 1846, several months before Iowa, officially became a state, and he has lived in that section of the county the remainder of his life.
Mrs. Jones writes that with the exception of a few years in Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois, she has lived all of her life in Iowa, and the last 83 years in Davenport.
Relates Life History
She relates further that she was a student at Denmark Academy, baptized a member of the Lost Creek Christian Church, married to Marshall Douglas Jones. Her father’s name was Peter P. Jones. Two of her three children are now living.
Commenting on her life, Mrs. Jones said, “I enjoy very good health, considering my age, which I told a doctor I had reached through equanimity, contact with the world by radio, and current events by newspapers.”
She added further, “I have always believed in state rights, with a balanced federal control, and I doubt the original 18,000 people with the territory would have asked for admittance to the union under centralized government at Washington, D.C.”
Source: Newton Daily News; Thursday, December 31, 1936