A special thanks to Carroll J. Jones, Sr. for providing this information. If you have any comments or have an interest in this family, please contact him.
Charles Clinton Jones was born March 19, 1867 in St. Joseph, Missouri, the second child of Martin Andrew Jones (1845-1929) and Mary Ann (Rickman) Jones (1846-1945). The 1880 Census of Clay County, Grant Township, Kansas shows he was living at home with the family at the age of 13. As a youth he preferred helping his mother cooking and baking rather than helping on the family farm. According to family tradition he left home at an early age to become a cook in nearby Clay Center. While yet a young man he opened a bakery in Clay Center, Kansas. But shortly thereafter he turned the bakery over to members of his family and moved on to Columbus.Charles arrived in Columbus about 1888. He married Mertella G. Novell January 1, 1889 in Columbus. Mertella was born February 15, 1970 in Watertown; New York, the daughter of William Walter Novell (1833-1906) and Mary Jane (Retan) Novell (1842-1911). Mertella had come to Columbus with her parents in 1874.
The Columbus Democrat of March 22, 1889 carried the following announcement: "C. C. Jones, who has been baking in the Vienna bakery for the last year, will open a bakery and restaurant in the brick building on Nebraska Avenue, opposite Friedhof's. A share of patronage is solicited which we will endeavor to hold with good goods, and low prices." Considerable research has been expended to determine the location of this business. It is believed to have been the southeast corner of what is now 13th Street and 27th Avenue. It is further believed that Friedhof's dry goods store was located where Schwesers store is now located.
Charles and Mertella had one son, Charles Clinton, Jr. (1889-1980). Mertella died June 18, 1896 after an illness commencing in February. She is buried in the Columbus Cemetery.
He married Carrie Belle Novell, Mertella’s sister, on April 22, 1897. Carrie was born October 20, 1876 on her father and mother’s homestead in Shell Creek Township north of Columbus. They had seven boys, four of whom grew to adulthood. These four were: Herbert Walter (1899-1992), Martin Andrew (1902-1967), Delbert Eugene (1910-1980) and Carroll Justice (1920-living in California).
He either moved his bakery and restaurant or discontinued the business for a time. However, the Columbus City Directory of 1915 shows the Jones Bakery to be located at 608 W. 12th Street. That location would now be 2608 W. 12th Street, across the street and west of the Union Pacific Depot. The building has been demolished long ago.
Charlie Jones enjoyed hunting, fishing and dancing. His prowess as a hunter and fisherman was legendary. He hunted and fished throughout Nebraska, but most often on the Platte River. It was a bad day when he didn’t bring home 50 to 100 ducks or geese. He once landed a 105 pound catfish on the Platte River with rod and reel playing the fish for several hours. Another time he brought home a catfish which when loaded on the buck board drug on the ground behind. He visited California during the early Spring of 1924 being there for his father and mother’s sixtieth wedding anniversary. He died March 9, 1925 of pneumonia. He is buried in the Columbus Cemetery beside Mertella and Carrie.
Following the death of Charles, Carrie tried continuing the bakery business with the eldest sons, Herbert Walter and Martin Andrew doing the baking. However, Herbert left the bakery for the farm and Martin Andrew went on the railroad. She abandoned the bakery in the early 1930’s.
Carrie died May 3, 1943 of a fourth stroke and was buried in the Columbus Cemetery beside her beloved Charles.
Prepared by:
Carroll J. Jones, Sr., son
4895 Galicia Way
Oceanside, CA 92056-5126
760-758-0991
carrolljones@cox.net
July 1, 2003
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