Edward D. Jones
Edward D. Jones, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Radnor Township, was born at Llangaffan, Breconshire, South Wales, April 16, 1826, and is a son oi Daniel and Sarah (Jefferson) Jones.
The father of Mr. Jones was horn in Breconshire and never left his native place, where he died when aged 69 years. He was a small farmer and was a man of great industry. He married a daughter of Hugh Jefferson, who resided in Radnorshire, South Wales, and they had six children, Edward D. being the youngest member of the family and the only survivor and the only one who came to America. The family was reared in the faith of the Congregational Church.
Edward D. Jones grew up on his father's little farm and attended the schools near his home. He was more ambitious and venturesome than the other members of the family and when he reached manhood he decided to emigrate to America, where he hoped industrial opportunities were better than in his own land. He felt unwilling, however, to have the Atlantic Ocean roll between him and the maiden of his choice, therefore he was married January 30, 1852, and on April 12 following, he embarked with his bride on the sailing vessel "States Rights," for the United States, which landed them safely eight weeks later, at Castle Garden, New York. Mr. Jones came to Radnor, Delaware County. Ohio, where he found employment and worked industriously until he had accumulated enough capital to purchase 20 acres of land in Radnor Township, near Warrensburg. Here he first built a humble log cabin and then cleared and fenced his property and during the 12 years which he spent on it, put it under a fine state of cultivation. In 1864 he bought his present farm of a little over 100 acres, 35 of which had been cleared, and a comfortable log cabin stood on the place, in which the family resided until 1884. In that year he built the present fine two-story frame house, which contains 12 large rooms. His substantial barns were erected three years after he look possession of the farm. Mr. Jones during his active years raised many horses, cattle, sheep and hogs and also sufficient grain with which to feed them. Mr. Jones is a man of independent means but every dollar he has made through his own efforts. The only advantage he had over many others who started out in life at the same time he did. was the possession of unusual physical strength and to this he added industry, clean living and continued prudence.
Mr. Jones was married to Mary Davis, who died in 1886, aged 51 years. She was the beloved mother of a large family, three of which died and eight survived to maturity, namely: Miriam, who grew to womanhood, married Joel Griffiths, and died in Radnor Township; Sarah, deceased, who married Evan T. Jones, who resides at Richwood; Isaac, who is deceased: Elizabeth, who married Stephen Davis, residing in Radnor Township; Mary Ann, who married William Herbert, residing in Radnor Township; Ruth, who married Edward Hadley, residing in Radnor Township; Alice, who married Griffith Roberts, who operates the Jones farm; Martha, who married James Osborne, residing in Radnor Township. Mr. Jones and family belong to the Congregational Church, in which he is a deacon. Since the election of President Lincoln, he has been identified with the Republican party, but has prohibition tendencies. He attributes a large measure of his excellent health of mind and body to the fact that he has been temperate in all things and has never used either tobacco or liquor. He is a man who in every way deserves the high regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908