F. J. Lones
F. J. Lones, the leading wall-paper man of Lima, and one of its representative citizens, was born in Perry Township, Allen County, Ohio, in 1861, a son of the late A. J. Lones.
The father of our subject was one of the early settlers of this county, where he died after a long life entirely devoted to agricultural pursuits. During the Civil War he was a zealous supporter of the Union cause and two of his sons, who still survive, serve in the Federal Army- Theodore being a resident of Kansas, and Commodore, of Oklahoma. The mother of these children, whose name before marriage was Mary A. Smith, is a native of Pennsylvania, and is a venerable resident of Lima, having attained the ripe old age of 85 years.
F. J. Lones remained at home assisting on the farm, until the age of 21, in the meantime securing his education in the common schools. He then took up his residence in Lima; for the following five years worked at the carpenter's trade; and for the next seven years was in the employ of J. M. Heininger, working at Lima, Fostoria, Columbus and Newark. After this he worked for one year with F. E. Harman, but in the spring of 1902 engaged in business for himself, embarking in the wall-paper and paper-hanging line. He has built up a large business and controls much of the best trade, carrying a complete and artistic line of goods and employing only skilled workmen. The business is now located at No. 124 East Market street. Fraternally Mr. Lones is a member of the order of Foresters.
In 1893 Mr. Lones was married to Stella Connutte, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and they have three children living, namely: Henen, Ida and Gertrude; one child, Frank, Jr., was accidentally drowned October 6, 1905, at two years of age. Mr. Lones and family enjoy the comforts of a pleasant home located at No. 430 North Shawnee street.