Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 503-504] WILLIAM JONES has been long identified with the commercial interests of Cherokee, where he has established a merchant tailoring and gents' furnishing business second to none in the western part of the State. When a man comes into a new unsettled country and commences at the bottom of the ladder, but year by year presses his way onward and upward until his honest efforts are finally crowned with success, it is indeed fitting that mention should be made of such a life, not only as a matter of interest to his family, but as a beacon light to a younger generation, who need the experience of those who have passed along life's pathway to guide their steps aright. So we will ask the kind reader to let his thoughts bear him away across the deep blue sea to North Wales, and to the quaint little village in which Mr. JONES was born, August 3, 1844. His parents were JOHN and ELIZABETH (DAVIS) JONES. The father died when our subject was four years old, leaving a wife and eight small children; they soon removed from the little farm to the neighboring village, where WILLIAM served an apprenticeship of five years at the tailor's trade. Afterward he went to Liverpool, England, where he worked at his trade for five years; thence he went to Manchester, England, and there placed himself under fine workmen, of whom he learned still more of the details of his chosen calling; this last training has served him to a good purpose many a time through life. In reading and talking and thinking of America, Mr. JONES concluded that the "land of the free and the home of the brave" must be a better place to live than any section he had seen in the Old World, so in 1871 he sailed for the United States. He came directly to Cherokee after landing, which was a village of a few inhabitants, but full of bustle and high hopes for the future. Mr. JONES had no competitor within a radius of sixty miles, but his customers were few and far between! However, he made up his mind to remain, hold the field, and perhaps conquer in the end as the broad trackless prairie settled up. Accordingly, he opened a little shop, taking the bench himself; under many discouraging features he toiled on, working early and late when work chanced to come to him. Many are the nights he has toiled till after midnight, and occasionally all the night! The second year he purchased a small stock of ready-made clothing, running that business in connection with his custom work; he was able to make a living, and also to save a small amount to invest in his business. He removed to his present spacious and elegant storeroom in the VANDERCOOK Block in October, 1884; the size of his salesroom is 24x90 feet, and his shop is on the second floor. He carries a complete stock of ready- made clothing, gents' fine furnishing goods, hats, caps, trunks and valises. He employs from four to six men, and his custom business extends all over his own county and some of the adjoining counties, where his work is duly appreciated. Mr. JONES was united in marriage in the city of Liverpool, England, in 1870, to Miss MARY ROBERTS, a native of Wales, born near the old home of our subject. They are the parents of four children: JENNIE, MAMIE, ANNIE and WILLIAM E. Mr. and Mrs. JONES are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the order of Knights of Pythias, Xenophon Lodge, No.**, Cherokee, Iowa. Every true and intelligent American citizen has his choice of political parties, and Mr. JONES adheres to the Republicans, taking an active part in all local issues. From first to last he has proven himself worthy the name of a good citizen. Not like many another man of foreign birth, having become a citizen of this country, he believes it his duty to pay a strict obedience to her laws, which he does more perfectly than many native-born subjects. In all public enterprises he does his share cheerfully. He owns a fine residence in what is known as the "Addition." The expression self-made man has never been more appropriately applied than in the case of Mr. WILLIAM JONES, who has not only worked his way up, but has contributed to the support of his widowed mother across the sea. His greatest desire seems to be that his children may never be called upon to undergo the hardships of his early life. ===========================================================================