William L. Jones
From "A Memorial and Biographical History of McClennan, Falls, Bell and Coryell
Counties Texas", published by the Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, 1893, p.
471-472:
WILLIAM L. JONES is an old and highly respected citizen of Coryell
county, in whose honor Jonesboro is named, was born in the State of Mississippi,
in Claiborne county, in 1827, the oldest of a family of thirteen children. His
parents, Milton H. and Kisiah (Culbertson) Jones, were natives of Tennessee;
they removed to Mississippi at an
early day, and were married in Claiborne county: later they removed to Yalobusha
county, where they resided a few years, and in 1839 they came to Texas and
located in Shelby county; here Mr. Jones engaged in farming. He was a preacher
in the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a very earnest and enthusiastic worker
in cause of his Master; he died January 22, 1875, in Hood county, Texas; his
wife died February 10, 1847. William L. Jones received his education in the
pioneer schools of the Lone Star State. After the death of his mother, in 1847,
he volunteered in the Mexican war, and served with General Scott; he led a most
exemplary life while on the campaign, never indulging in the habits which the
life of exposure encourages; he participated in many skirmishes, but was in no
battles. Upon his return from the war he engaged in farming, and the following
autumn he entered school and attended one term. He then went to Corsicana,
Texas, in 1850, and with his brother-in-law, C. B. Lindsey, embarked in
mercantile pursuits; he followed this business until 1852, when he went back to
Rusk county, and was employed as clerk for Mr. John Abney for a year; he was at
Mt. Enterprise the next year, clerking for C. Vincent, and then removed to
Bosque county, where he again conducted a store in partnership with J. A.
Goodlet. At the beginning of the Civil war he secured a permit and operated a
mill until the close of the conflict. In 1866 he purchased a tract of land, 320
acres, on the line of Coryell and Hamilton counties, and set up a saw and grist
mill; this small industry soon became the center of a settlement, and goods
shipped to the point were marked for Jonesboro, so that by common consent the
town was christened in honor of the founder. In 1872 Mr. Jones
brought his family here, and in the same year he established a general
mercantile trade, which he carried on successfully until 1833, when he closed
out the business. The land which he bought is the present site of Jonesboro, and
most of it has been sold in town
lots; he has been one of the prime factors in developing the resources of the
surrounding country, and has aided very materially in the growth of the place.
Every laudable enterprise has found in him a liberal and enthusiastic supporter,
and his country has found
in him a loyal and patriotic citizen. His dealings in the commercial world have
been characterized by the most upright and careful methods, and the successes he
has made have been fully merited.
Mr. Jones has been twice married: in Bosque county, February 4, 1858, he was
united to Miss Mary C. Loyd, a native of Hempstead county, Arkansas; she died
April 25, 1864, leaving two children: Fountain E., who is now engaged in the
drug trade in Arizona, and
Allie K., wife of Thomas J. Atkinson, a citizen of Hamilton county; the second
union was to Miss Susan R. Thomas, a native of Alabama; three children have been
born to this marriage: Mary C. Hall, William L., and Wiley P., who died May 26,
l879; Alfred M., a son of the first marriage died May 29, 1864. The family are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South; Mr. Jones is superintendent of
the Sabbath-school, and takes a deep interest in all the efforts toward the
elevation of humanity. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having joined more
than thirty years ago. He is active in the temperance cause, and since early
manhood has had the courage of his convictions upon this subject. He is a man of
so many excellent traits that he numbers his friends to the full number of his
acquaintances, and is well worthy of the admiration he arouses.
Submitted Nov 12 2000 by: Frances Patterson (sandycrk@ctesc.net), GGgranddaughter of William L. Jones. His siblings were Candace Benton Jones, Sarah Jones, Samuel Jones, John Wesley Jones, Matilda Jones, Milton Henry Jones Jr., Martha Elizabeth Jones, Benjamin Franklin Jones, Wiley Jones, Francis Wilson Jones, Wiley Palmer Jones, and John Culbertson Jones.
Last Update Thursday, 10-Feb-2022 10:43:11 CST
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County Coordinator:
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