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| William T. Jones, manufacturer of lumber, shingles, etc., resident at Morley, was born at Waterdown, Wentworth Co., Upper Canada, March 10, 1847. His father Ezekiel Jones, was a native of Ireland and immigrated to Canada when he was 11 years of age. He reached man’s estate, and married in the Dominion, where he resided until 1851, in which year he came to Michigan and settled in Croton, Newaygo County, where he interested himself lumbering and kept a hotel until his death in 1854. This journey to Michigan was made by Mr.and Mrs. Jones and family in a wagon, the distance from Waterdown, being 400 to 500 miles. Jane (Thompson) Jones, mother of the subject of this sketch, returned to her native providence after the death of her husband, and is still living in Waterdown. Mr. Jones retained a fair education in the schools of his native town, and there commenced his business life, working as a salesman in a mercantile house six years, after which he established himself in business with a partner, under the firm name of Jones, Burns, & Co., for the sale of general merchandise. He sold out at the end of three years and came to Michigan, locating at Morley. He at once engaged in the lumber trade, and , under the firm name of Cook, Pendleton, & Jones, began the manufacture of shingles. The relation lasted one year, when Mr. Pendleton withdrew, and the business was maintained by messrs. Cook & Jones until the death of the former in 1882. Since that event Mr. Jones has continued to conduct business in his own interest. He is also associated in the proprietorship and management of grist mill at Morley, with William Hugh. The personal history of Mr. Jones is marked by the same qualities which characterize the records of so many of the substantial citizen of Mecosta County. He inherited thrift and energy was trained to industrious habits and built up his business and fortune by economy and exercise of good judgment in his operations. He enjoys the confidence of the community where he lives, and has ably discharged his obligations as the incumbent of various township offices. He has belonged to the Masonic fraternity since 1868, and is a member of the Lodge “Strict Observance,” No.27, and Royal Arch Chapter No. 2, at Hamilton, Ont. Mr. Jones was married in Mecosta Co., Mich., Aug 24, 1881, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late John T. and Sarah A.J. (Dow) Cook, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter born in Boston, Mass. Mrs. Jones was born in Earlville, Ill., Sept 14, 1843. Politically Mr. Jones has always been a member of the Republican party, and has labored for its advancement and prosperity. As a prominent and representative citizen of Mecosta County and a gentleman worthy of the position, we place the portrait of Mr. Jones in this album. |