Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

John M. Jones, who has been the efficient superintendent of the Buena Vista county poor farm for the past nine years, was born in La Salle county, Illinois, December 13, 1858.  His grandfather, John Jones, Sr., was a native of Wales but brought his family to the new world and located in Illinois, and it was in that state that John Jones, Jr., the father of our subject, was reared.  In l849 he made the overland journey to California, where he spent several years, meeting with a fair measure of success in his search for the precious metal.  On returning to Illinois he married Miss Johanna Sly, who was a native of Ohio and of Irish parentage.  John Jones, Sr., was a prominent agriculturist of La Salle county, where he owned several farms and reared his family.  He passed away in that county in 1898 when seventy-seven years of age, his birth having occurred in Wales in 1821.

John M. Jones was reared to manhood on the home farm and obtained his education in the common schools.  In 1881 he came to Buena Vista county, Iowa, and purchased three hundred and seventy acres of land which he broke and began to cultivate, while he also fenced the fields and erected several good buildings.  In 1882 he returned to La Salle county and on the 25^th of December of that year was united in marriage to Miss Jennie M. Bartlett, who was born and reared at Belvidere, Illinois, and was a daughter of Sylvester Bartlett, who removed from New York to the Prairie state at an early day.  Mr. Jones subsequently returned to his farm in Buena Vista county and was engaged in its further development and improvement for fifteen years, on the expiration of which period he leased the property and took up his abode in Storm Lake.  Here he conducted a meat market for two years and was then appointed superintendent of the county poor farm, in which capacity he has since capably served.  He took up his abode on section 24, Washington township, and erected a commodious and up-to-date residence with furnace heat, hot and cold water and all modern conveniences.  He likewise built a substantial barn, tiled and fenced the land and has a good system of water works.  The number of inmates at the home averages about seven and the farm is almost self-supporting.  For about eight years Mr. Jones also engaged in the raising of thoroughbred Hereford cattle but recently sold the herd.  He still keeps some high grade stock, however.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born three children:  Raymond A., cashier of the Shaler Bank at Storm Lake; and Harold D. and Forest K., who are students in the Storm Lake high school.  Mr. Jones gives stalwart allegiance to the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of trust and responsibility.  He has served as township trustee, member of the school board, township committeeman and also as a delegate to county conventions. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Storm Lake, while his wife is one of the official members of the Rebekah lodge.  He is likewise affiliated with the subordinate lodge and is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Court of Honor.  Having resided in this county for more than a quarter of a century, he is well and favorably known here and is moreover widely recognized as a wide-awake, progressive and public-spirited citizen.