George W. Jones
George W. Jones, formerly one of the leading citizens of Delaware County, Ohio, who was prominently identified with the agricultural and political interests of his township and county, died at his home in Radnor, November 1. 1907. Mr. Jones was born August 24, 1839, in Licking County, Ohio, and was a son of David and Elizabeth (Evans) Jones, natives of South Wales.
David Jones, father of George W., came from Wales to America with his family in 1834, and for a time resided at Albany, New York. moving later to Licking County. Ohio. He erected a blacksmith shop near Newark, where he carried on his trade for a number of years, but in 1848 he removed with his family to Radnor Township, Delaware County, Ohio, settling on 200 acres of land in the woods north of Radnor village, where he carried on agricultural pursuits and blacksmithing, his shop being situated in what is now Radnor. Some years prior to his death he returned to South Wales, where he died in 1885, his wife having passed away in Radnor Township in 1876. David Jones was a Democrat in politics, and his religious connection was with the Congregational Church. Of the 11 children born to him and his wife, all are gone, the last to depart this life being George W., and Ellen. She was the wife of Elias Kyle, of Richwood, Ohio, and died in December, 1907.
George W. Jones was reared to manhood in Radnor Township, whence he had come from Licking County when nine years old. He received his education in the public schools. On November 8, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in Company E, Sixty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which regiment became a part of the Army of the Potomac and was later transferred to General Sherman's command. Mr. Jones participated in numerous battles, among which may be mentioned Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Peach Tree Creek, and others of minor importance. At Chattanooga, Tennessee, his regiment was joined to General Sherman's force and Mr. Jones participated in the siege of Atlanta. He was honorably discharged March 14, 1865, having served four months more than his enlisted term of three years. He nobly performed a soldier's duties, and faced dangers and endured hardships with a courage and heroism that won him the esteem and confidence of his comrades and superiors. After the war Mr. Jones returned to Delaware, and there was engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning a fine farm of fifty acres. but residing in Radnor village.
On February 25, 1809, Mr. Jones was married to Elizabeth Humphreys, who was born August 18. 1838, in Radnor Township, Delaware County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Humphrey and Margaret (Griffiths) Humphreys, who were natives of Wales and early settlers of Radnor township. Mrs. Jones has two surviving sisters, and one half-sister: Mary A., who is the widow of Evan B. Jones, late of Radnor Township; Margaret A., who is the wife of George Perry, residing in Delaware; and Josephine, who is the wife of Evan Jones, residing in Licking County.
Mr. Jones was a member of the Congregational Church at Radnor, in which he served as deacon and treasurer. In political matters he was a Democrat, and he has served as a trustee of Radnor Township, and for six years was a commissioner of Delaware County, during the last three of which time he was president of the board. He always interested himself in every movement which he believed would he of assistance in the development of his section, and he was one of the greatest friends of the cause of education in Radnor. He was known to be a man of strict integrity and reliability and no one in Radnor Township stood higher in public esteem.
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908