REUBEN JONES.

Athough one of the more recent arrivals among the farmers and stock raisers of Woodson county, Reuben Jones has the enterprising and

progressive spirit of the west and has been accorded a place among the representative agriculturists. He was born near Jefferson City, Missouri, February 2, 1848. His father, Thomas Jones, was a native of Massachusetts and as his father died when Thomas was only twelve years of age the latter had to make his own way in the world and finlly[sic] drifted to Ohio, where he formed the acquaintance of Miss Jane E. Fuller. In due course of time they were married, and in 1851 removed to Grundy county, Illinois, where they went to Livingston county, that state. The year 1884 witnessed their arrival in Kansas, their home being near Iola, in Allen county, where the mother of our subject passed away in 1888, the father surviving until 1891, when he to departed this life. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are yet living: Reuben; Asa, who makes his home in the city of Oklahoma, and Mrs. da Miler, of La Harpe, Kas.

Reuben Jones was reared to farm life in Illinois and there pursued a common school education. As is usual with young men starting out in business life he sought a companion and helpmate for the journey and was united in marriage to Miss Anna Fisher, a native of New Jersey. They continued to reside in Illinois until 1892 when they came to the Sunflower state, settling in Toronto township, Woodson county, eight miles north of the town of Toronto, where Mr. Jones purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, but since that time he has extended the boundaries of his place until it now comprises four hundred acres, constituting some of the best farming land of the county, bordering the Brazle creek. Here he is engaged in the raising of crops and stock and now has about eighty head of cattle and one hundred hogs, producing about that number annually. He feeds all of his corn and hay and keeps his stock in excellent condition, markets it himself and therefore receives the highest prices paid.

In his work Mr. Jones has had able assistance from his sons. Thomas E., the eldest, is now in the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad company, at Quincy, Kans.; George F., operates a farm near the old homestead; and Asa is married and assists in the operation of the home farm. Mr. Jones is a memer[sic] of the Odd Fellows society, at Quincy, Kans.; and also belongs to Woodson lodge No. 121, F. & A. M., at Toronto. Political preferment has had no attraction for him, yet he was elected and served for one term as justice of the peace. Business cares engross his attention, the work of the farm being under his immediate supervision and indicating the careful direction of an enterprising and progressive owner by its splendid returns. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, the improvements being in keeping with modern progress and advancement, and the position which the owner occupies in agricultural circles is commendable and enviable.

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