MR. JOHN S. JONES, PALMYRA, JEFFERSON COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
Among the self-made men of Sullivan township is numbered John S. Jones, who is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, his home being on section 22. He was born on the 4th of September, 1865, in Wales, of which country his parents, Isaac and Maria (Williams) Jones, were also natives. He was educated in the district schools of his native land, which he attended until about fourteen years of age and during the following year worked as a farm hand. He was next employed in a limestone quarry for four years and engaged in the chemical manufacture of soda products from lime. Three years were also spent as a sailor on the Atlantic, plying between the ports of the Baltic sea, the West Indies, Brazil and other South American countries.At the end of that time he determined to come to the United States and try his fortune in this country but had to borrow three pounds to pay his passage on an immigrant ship. He landed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1889 and continued his journey westward to Dousman, Wisconsin, arriving there with only a dollar of American money in his pocket. He was first employed at husking corn for two months, worked as a farm hand at eight dollars per month for eight months and later was employed, for three years at eighteen, twenty-two and twenty-five dollars per month.
At the end of that time Mr. Jones married and located upon a rented farm, where he began operations on his own account with two cows and two horses, all mortgaged, but at the end of a year he had paid off all his debts and was the owner of seven cows. For five years he operated a rented farm in Sullivan township and then went to Hebron township, where he also rented land for three years.
At the end of that time he was able to purchase his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 22 and 23, Sullivan township, where he has since resided. He raises a good grade of Holstein cattle and Shropshire sheep and is engaged in dairying to some extent, keeping about twenty cows for that purpose. He has a good and substantial residence and also two barns, one sixty-six by thirty-four feet and the other twenty-four by forty-two feet.
Mr. Jones was married on the 11th of March, 1892, to Miss Elizabeth A. Orchard, who was born in Wisconsin, November 11, 1864, and is a daughter of William and Gargery (Jolliffe) Orchard. The children of this union are: Edith M., now married; and Alice G., Margery M., Lloyd W. and Inez M., all students residing at home.
The family holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are highly respected by all wdio know them. Mr. Jones cast his ballot with the republican party and for six years he filled the office of clerk of the school board. During his residence in Jefferson county he has made a host of warm friends and wherever known is held in the highest esteem.