CHARLES W. JONES Page 969 (CORRECTION, Mary Branson's father is ELI JONES, not the brother LEVI)

Among the men who are gaining a competence by cultivating a portion of the soil of De Witt County a prominent position is held by Charles W. JONES, of Waynesville Twp.. His interest in all that will increase the welfare and enhance the prosperity of his associates in an honorable calling, together with his progressive ideas in all matters pertaining thereto, makes him a very conspicuous figure among them. He has already gained a substantial footing, financially speaking, his present landed estate amounting to two hundred and forty acres.
Going back two generations in the ancestry of our subject we come to Peter JONES, who after living in South Carolina a number of years made one of the early settlers of Ohio. Thence he removed to Indiana and in 1830 came to this State. Three or four years later he removed from Sangamon County to the location now occupied by our subject, where he and his wife died, he being buried July 4, 1842, and the widow in 1846. Mrs. JONES bore the maiden name of Mary Branson and was a daughter of Levi Branson, a Colonel in the British army during the Revolution. That gentleman had come to America some years before and located on a grant of land in Maryland. When hostilities began he did not wish to take sides, but was finally pressed into the service and belonged to the army until peace was declared. He then quit the British service and devoted himself to his peaceful calling in Maryland until death.
The family of Peter and Mary (Branson) JONES consisted of ten children, one of whom, John B., was born in North Carolina December 18, 1799, and is said to have been the first male child born in the county. He was reared on a farm and accompanied his parents to Sangamon County, Ill., in 1830. A year later he came to De Witt County and entered eighty acres on section 21, Waynesville Twp., and one hundred acres on section 16. At the time of his death he owned two hundred and twenty-six acres. In an early day he served as captain of a military company in Indiana. In politics he was a Democrat, active in the work done by the party. He was a prominent and influential citizen, interested in the progress and development of the country and its inhabitants. He died April 10, 1856.
John B. JONES married Rachel Thomas, who was born April 5, 1803, and who died October 30, 1885. She was a daughter of Absalom and Catherine (Weeks) Thomas, natives respectively of Philadelphia and New York City. Mr. Thomas was a son of a native of Wales and was highly educated both in English and German. He learned the trade of a shoemaker, and going to Cincinnati followed his calling there for some time. He finally settled in Clarke County, where he became the owner of a large landed estate. He had two sons and eight daughters. One of the sons was drowned in the Ohio River. John and Rachel (Thomas) JONES had twelve children, three of whom died of scarlet fever when quite young. Those who were reared to maturity were: Caroline, Adolphus, Lavina, Elinor, Milton, Andrew, Rachel J., Charles W. and Mary C. Those who now survive are: Lavina, Elinor, Milton, Rachel, Charles and Mary.
The subject of this biographical notice was born February 14, 1842, on the tract of land which he now occupies, and which has been his life-long home. He received a common-school education and in the intervals of study gained a practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits. He was still in his teens when the Civil War began, but he entered into the spirit of affairs with an enthusiasm and earnestness which led to his early enlistment in the service of his country. In June. 1861, he was enrolled in Company E, Seventh IL. Infantry, and after the expiration of the three months' term, again became a member of the Union army. In October he joined Company D, Eighty Missouri Infantry, a body which was organized in St. Louis, and which was under the command of Capt. Giles Smith, afterward a Major-General.
Mr. JONES was present at the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Corinth and the engagement on the Yazoo River under Sherman, and he also bore his part in the marches, skirmishes and camp duties which, although not so famous, were equally necessary. At the Yazoo River on December 29, 1862, he was wounded in the right thigh and after suffering for weeks was discharged from the hospital at St. Louis in April, 1863. As a soldier he was careful to obey the orders of his superiors, displaying the gallantry that won their commendation, and in camp life, with all the wearisome duties and tedious hours, was bright and cheerful, making the best of every circumstance and surrounding.
After his return from the scenes of conflict Mr. JONES resumed his labors in and about his old home. At his father's death he became heir to forty acres of land which still forms a part of his estate. He won for his companion Elizabeth Smith, and subsequent to her demise was married to Sarah A. Vinson, a daughter of Andrew J. and Rhoda (Cisco) Vinson. The first union was a childless one, but five children have been born to the second one. The family is made up of John D., Rachel, Charles M., Ella and Ida, the last two being twins.
Following the example set by his honored father, Mr. JONES takes an active interest in politics and votes the Democratic ticket. He was sent as a delegate to the State convention in 1888-90 respectively. In 1881 he filled the position of Twp. Supervisor and he has twice served on the United States jury. As a citizen he is reliable and law-abiding; as a member of society, companionable and intelligent; and in his home life he displays consideration and a thorough enjoyment of domestic happiness. He is therefore held in good repute, and his estimable wife has her share in the good will of their neighbors and associates.