JOHN R. JONES. UTICA, ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Sunday is a Red Letter Day for a local resident, for on that date, John R. Jones of Bacon Street will celebrate his 83rd birthday.John has just returned to his home after a trip to Wales. Accompanying him was John T. Pritchard of Rome, his grandson and son of Phyllis Jones Pritchard, local school graduate.
John told of "the old country" with the stonewalls, cottages and roofs of slate. It's rather hilly country and the chief industries are farming and mining.
The local folks eat about 5 times a day and if you call in the afternoon you can expect a Mutton sandwich, jame and tea, said John.
This is the second time John has revisited his home in Wales.
He told of his first trip to America by boat taking 10 days. He came as his grandfather had a farm here. He took the train, New York to Utica and had planned to go to the Western States. John says he stopped here and never got away.
He received a wonderful welcome in Wales, where a niece and nephew still live.
While checking his passport he met Robert T. Jones who gave his address as Beaver Creek Road, Waterville. Five miles from home, John commented and we meet in Great Britain. He also met two Williams brothers of Utica.
John took his grandson for a 4-day trip around London before returning home.
We asked John where he stayed, but we are not sure we know even now. One address was Dolgelley, Merioneth, Great Britain. Another was Dinas Mawddwy.
The Waterville Times ~ September 5th, 1963.
JOHN R. JONES. UTICA, ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
John R. Jones, 86 of West Bacon Street, Waterville, New York passed away in St. Lukes Memorial Hospital Sunday afternoon, October 2nd, where he had been a patient since September 20th.Mr. Jones was born in Dinas Mawddwy, Merioneth, North Wales on September 8th, 1880 where he received his education and came to this country in September 1904. He lived in the Town of Marshall and later in Waterville.
He was a policeman in Waterville for 23 years and was Superintendant of the Water Works for 35 years. He was also a prominent farmer, retiring in 1959. For many years he was an assessor in the Town of Marshall.
He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Waterville and Sanger Lodge No 129 F and A.M. He was a member of the Oddfellows in Wales, and now a member of the Odd Fellows in Waterville. Mr. Jones took an active part in the Republican Party for many years.
On October 19, 1904 in Waterville, New York, he was united in marriage with Barbara Jones and she passed away in 1959.
Surviving is a daughter, Mrs. Timothy (Dilys) Pritchard of Rome and a grandson, John T. Pritchard who is attending College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also surviving are three nephews, William G. Jones of Binghamton, New York, Arthur A. Jones of Baltimore, Maryland and Evan R. Evans of Wales.
Funeral services were held in Grace Episcopal Church in Waterville on Wednesday afternoon with the Rev. Robert F. Adkins, officiating and the internment made in the Waterville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions were made to the Grace Episcopal Church Memorial Fund in Waterville.
Prince and Boyd in Rome were in charge of funeral arrangements.
Bearers were : Mr. David R. Harrer, Mr. Edward B. Harrer, Mr. Roderick R. Huntington, Mr. Wayne Allyn Jones, Mr. Richard Lewis, Mr. Amos R. Pritchard, Mr. Raymond N. Pritchard and Mr. W. Henry Suters.