Jenken A. Jones
It has been the privilege of Jenken A. Jones, of Ironton, to realize many of his worthy ambitious, and through the exercise of business sagacity and good judgment to wrest from his opportunities financial and general success. As the proprietor of a flourishing feed and produce store he is contributing to the community a conservative and well-established business, in the management of which he has followed the most upright methods, and his good citizenship has been made manifest on a number of occasions when the welfare of the city and its people has been at stake.
Mr. Jones was born in Perry Township, on his father's farm in Gallia County, Ohio, July 13, 1872, and is a son of David N. and Jane (Davis) Jones, both natives of that township. The father, although now sixty-six years of age, is still carrying on extensive agricultural operations and is known as one of the substantial citizens of Perry Township, where he has served as assessor for several years. Mrs. Jones died in 1909. at the age of fifty-one years. There were four children in the family of David N. and Jane Jones, namely: Thomas, who is a well-known contractor and builder of the village of Patrick, Gallia County; John E., who is engaged in farming on the old homestead in Perry Township; Jenken A., of this review; and Bert D., who is also a farmer of Perry Township.
The boyhood of J. A. Jones was passed on his father's farm in Perry Township, and there he worked during the summer months while securing his education in the distriet schools during the winter terms. He remained under the parental roof as his father's assistant until reaching the age of twenty-six years, at which time he turned his attention to contracting in Gallia and Jackson counties and was so engaged four years, when he purchased a saloon at Gallipolis, and this he conducted three years. Succeeding this he had an experience of one year in the produce business at Gallipolis, and in 1908 became the candidate of the republican party for the office of sheriff of Gallia County, to which he was elected. A term characterized by faithful and capable service won him re-election to the shrievalty in 1910, and when his second term expired he came to Ironton and bought the produce and feed business established here by Mr. McNickles. Mr. Jones had as a partner Mr. Gates, and the business was conducted under the firm style of Jones & Gates until 1913. when he bought his partner's interest, and since that time has carried on the business alone as J. A. Jones. The business has enjoyed a pleasing and satisfactory growth, and is now valued at $9,000, attracting its trade from all over this part of Lawrence County. As a business man Mr. Jones is known to be progressive, capable and enterprising, making the most of his opportunities and meeting all engagements faithfully. He is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, in all of which he has warm and appreciative friends. He is a member of the Baptist Church and has been liberal in his support of its movements. Mr. Jones is the owner of a nice home and six acres of valuable property at Gallipolis.
On February 7, 1897, Mr. Jones was married at Patriot. Gallia County, Ohio, to Miss Ethel Carter, daughter of A. J. Carter, of that place, and two children have been born to this union : Victor and Margaret.
From "A Standing History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio" by Eugene B. Willard, Daniel W. Williams, George O. Newman and Charles B. Taylor. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1916