L. W. Jones

L. W. Jones, ESQ, has long been identified with the interests of Tarrant County, Texas, and has served the public most efficiently in many capacities.  A sketch of his life is therefore of interest in this work, and is as follows:

L.W. Jones was born in Christian County, Kentucky, June 1, 1817 , and at the age of twelve years moved with his parents to Morgan County, Illinois.  His early life was passed on the farm, and his education was obtained in private schools.  When he was fifteen, the death of his mother broke up the home and after that he worked out as a farmhand, continuing thus employed until 1837.  That year he married and settled down on rented land. He also engaged in brick-making and brick-laying, which he continued, in connecting with his farming operations, until 1852, the time of his removal to Texas. Upon his arrival in Texas, he took a homestead claim of 284 acres in Tarrant County, where he still lives.  This land was at that time all wild prairie, and there was only one family west of his place.  Birdville was the county seat of Tarrant County, and was his post office. The surrounding country abounded in wild game, --- deer, turkeys and bears. Three years later Parker County was organized and some other settlements established.  In November, 1853, Mr. Jones built a cabin on his claim and moved into it, making it his home until 1856.  At that time he rented his farm and moved to the village of Birdville, where he and a partner opened a shop for cabinet-work, repairing, etc.  They did all kinds of work in their line, including the manufacture of coffins, and continued to do a successful business until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he returned to his farm.  In 1856 he was elected Justice of the Peace for his precinct, which exempted him from service in the war.  However, he was for a short time in the State service, and while there was petitioned by the war widows and others to come home, as his presence in the neighborhood was a protection to the widows and children, and also his skill in repairing looms and doing like work of great value.  He continued as Justice for thirty years, up to 1890.  For four years after the war he was also Notary Public and Coroner, and he still acts as Notary Public.  A comfortable residence has long since taken the place of the primitive cabin, seventy acres of his land are under cultivation, and he is well situated, and here expects to spend the rest of his days.

Esquire Jones is one of a family of eight, his parents being Lewis W. and Frances (Bobbitt) Jones, the former of Welsh descent, and the latter of Irish.  Lewis W. Jones was born in Virginia, son of Samuel Jones, also a native of that State, and a veteran and pensioner of the Revolutionary war.  Samuel Jones died in Illinois in 1839.  He was a farmer by occupation, and in religion was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.  The maternal grandfather of our subject, Isom Bobbitt, was a native of South Carolina, as also was Mrs. Jones, and he moved from there to Kentucky and settled on a farm, where Mr. and Mrs. Jones were married. Mr. Bobbitt subsequently removed to Morgan County, Illinois, where he died.  The names of the eight children of Lewis W. and Frances Jones are as follows: Elizabeth, wife of M. O. Woosley, of Kentucky; Delila, wife of J. Pyle, died in Illinois; Mathew W., a resident of Kansas; Henry C., who died in Texas; L.W., whose name heads this article; Samuel B., a resident of the State of Washington; Frances W., wife of R. Pyle, died in Missouri; and Nancy C., wife of John Guthrie, of Kentucky.

The subject of our sketch has been twice married.  He first wedded Miss Elizabeth M. Lingle, a native of Kentucky, their marriage occurring in Illinois.  She died in 1859.  Of the children of this union we record that William T. died, leaving a widow and three children; Benjamin F. is a blacksmith and farmer of Tarrant County; Nancy A., wife of B. Murphy, died soon after her marriage; Frances C. is the wife of J.J. Moore, Kimble County, this State; Nancy J., wife of J.J. Newton, Sutton County, Texas; Mary L., wife of James Goodman, Kaufman County; Louis C., deceased; James H., a farmer and stock-raiser of Arizona; and Samuel L., in Arizona with his brother. In 1862, Mr. Jones married Mrs. Sally M. Chaney, nee Hawkins, a native of Tennessee.  She had two children by her first marriage, both of whom Mr. Jones reared, and she and Mr. Jones have had four children: Isabell, wife of L.B. Brown, died leaving one child; Laura D., wife of J.A. Winn, Fort Worth; Steven W., engaged in farming in Stephens County, Texas; and John M., at home.

Mr. Jones is a Master Mason and member of the Christian Church, while his wife is a Methodist.