Alonzo Pennington Jones
SURNAMES: JONES, CORNELISON, SAXON, CROUCH, HAYS, KELZER, WILLIAMS, CURRIE, SAUNDERS, BEASON, GUTHRIE, KNIGHTAlonzo Pennington Jones (called "Lon", and later "A. P."), b December 3, 1856 in Warren, Bradley County, Arkansas, d November 7,1944 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas - was a son of Hastings and Mary Ann (Hanna or Hannah) Jones. By 1870, he had settled with his parents and siblings in Falls County, Texas near present-day Reagan. In 1884 in Falls County, Alonzo married Mary Lydia Cornelison (called "Mamie"), b April 1, 1866 in Falls County, d November 10, 1957 in Marlin, and buried by her husband in Calvary Cemetery at Marlin - a daughter of Jesse and Mary Elizabeth (Saxon) Cornelison. Alonzo and Mamie had eight children:
Infant Jones - died unnamed.
Infant Jones - died unnamed. Lelia Jones - died young.
Magnolia Jones - died young.
Dovie Dagmar Jones married first to Jess Crouch, and had no children, and married second to Dorsey Hays and had one son: William Herbert Hays, b March 8, 1922 - married Eleanor Keizer, and had no issue.
Itasca Jones, b February 1899 - married first to Julian Williams, and had no issue; married second on July 7, 1924 to Carl David Currie, b March 20, 1897, d in 1964 in Coleman, Texas, and had one daughter, Carlie Currie, b August 9, 1926 - married Harrison Lowery Saunders and had Sandra Sue b March 20,1947, Carlie Currie b August 1, 1948, and Harrison Lowery, Jr., b August 20, 1949. Itasca resides in Austin with her daughter.
Boyd Cornelison Jones, b February 14, 1903, d October 20, 1975 in Galveston, Texas and buried in Dickinson, Texas - married Opal Clarice Beason, b January 10, 1905, and had issue.
Verna Elsie Jones, b August 16, 1904, d 1971 in Dallas, Texas - married James Herbert Guthrie - a school teacher in the Reagan School, and an attorney. They had three children: James Herbert, Jr. b September 22, 1923; Rosemary b May 23, 1925 who married a Mr. Knight; and Betty Ann, b July 12, 1929.
The family of Alonzo and Mamie settled near Reagan, Texas where Alonzo was a farmer and a gin wright. The family home, a large, white, two-story structure, said to have resembled the famous "House of Seven Gables," was surrounded by a beautiful garden, orchard, and vineyard in which Alonzo took great pride. The following account is taken from the childhood memories of Mrs. Rosemary Guthrie Knight - granddaughter of Alonzo and Mamie Jones:
"... The three of us accompanied our parents each Easter and Christmas, also on other occasions, to Reagan, Texas (a very small town near Marlin, in Falls County). We loved the idea that everyone was acquainted and cared about one another. My beautiful mother had a huge electric cooker. She would take a roast, ham, three vegetables, potatoes, and all would still be hot whenever we arrived at Mama and Papa Jones' (Alonzo and Mamie's home).
"Upon our arrival we would greet our grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, also many neighbors with much compassion. We children were granted permission to play a short distance away on the bales of cotton. They were stacked awaiting transportation via railroad. We also enjoyed the train tracks.
"Our meals were feasts at a formal table. Mama Jones' hot yeast rolls were famous. Papa Jones always sat at the head of the table and carved the entree. He used a large iced tea stein. We had already enjoyed brewed grape juice while the adults shared wine from Papa's vineyard, in which he had great pride. We then lingered at the table for fellowship.
"At bedtime, Mama Jones had a knack for placing at least three youngsters in one big bed. I can still smell and feel the sheets dried outdoors and the homemade quilts stacked, according to the temperature outdoors. She would peek in to tuck us all in, share a bedtime story, and assure us we could giggle all night as long as the adults could sleep. She was always loving, patient, adoring, and assured her family.
"Papa Jones was tall and lean in stature and most erect. He had strawberry blonde hair and wore a large mustache the same shade (which offset his blue eyes). Papa was active in his lovely yard, and was always awarded annually first prize for his vineyard, flowers, and orchard. He also would spend hours at his enormous granite wheel where he sharpened knives and tools for his horticulture. He allowed me to accompany him to the cemetery (the Blue Ridge Cemetery, near Reagan) ...
"Papa was the owner of two large cotton gins; Mama Jones managed all of the bookkeeping. Then one spring, there was a treacherous flood. Papa Jones saved several persons' lives, but was severely injured on the side of his head. It effected his speech and health the rest of his life. Mama Jones was like the 'Rock of Gibraltar.' She never waivered, and always took ample time to care for Papa, her family, relatives, and friends (neighbors) with a cheerful smile. Her personal appearance was always prim and proper. Love was warm and prevalent in their home.
"On one occasion, she (Mama Jones) had someone come to care for Papa so she could go to Waco (and later to Dallas) to care for us so Mother and dad could take a vacation trip. After Papa passed away, she moved to Marlin to a large two-story rooming house. Whenever we visited it was still a big occasion, exemplifying love. We all miss them and cherish our memories."
Sometime during the first decade of this century, unfortunate tragedy struck when the beautiful home of the Jones family was destroyed by fire, and with it a vast collection of family records and portraits which could never be replaced.
Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.
