My Genealogy Hound

Dr. John Joseph Jones is a prominent practitioner near Conway, Faulkner County, and was born in Hickman County, Tenn., August 10, 1824. His parents are Allen and Elizabeth (Hicks) Jones, the farmer a native of North Carolina (born in 1799), and his wife of Georgia. Allen Jones’ father removed to Tennessee in 1809, his family accompanying him, and, settling on a farm ten miles below Columbia, by their energy and pluck, succeeded in converting a wilderness into a valuable farm, his wagon being the first to make a track where Columbia now stands. In the War of 1812 his oldest son, an uncle of our subject, entered the army, and was in the battle of New Orleans. Three of John’s uncles took an active part in that famous battle. Joseph Jones was one of five children. His family consisted of fourteen children: Abner, Clarissa, Allen, George, Hannah, Pollie, Nancy, Jeemes, Stephen, John J., Joel, William, Syrena and Joey. Elizabeth Hicks was one of ten children, a daughter of Berry Hicks, who was a Revolutionary soldier with Gen. Marion and Gen. Greene. Of the Hicks family there were the following: Joshua, John, Temple, Elijah, Thomas, Berry, Gilbert, Pollie, Catherine, Elizabeth and Sarah. Allen Jones and Elizabeth Hicks were married in 1822. To this union were born ten children, of whom the subject of this sketch, John Joseph, was the eldest; following him came Martin J., Parmelia C., George W., James R., Thomas, Joicy, Harriett and Vandever. The early life of John Joseph was spent in Tennessee, where he commenced to fit himself for his professional career as early as seventeen years of age. He began the regular study of medicine in 1845, and was ready to practice three years later, near Courtland, Ala., where he remained until April 15, 1851, then removing to Arkansas. Practicing at Cadron Cave, he also put in the first stock of drugs at Springfield, and the first saw-mill (except one) in the county, sawing the lumber and erecting the first drug store in the town (in the year 1853). November 15, 1857, he moved to Springfield, that place being the county seat. He bought some land and entered more until he is now the possessor of forty acres of valuable land. In the year 1876 he removed with his family to Conway, where he has lived ever since, with the exception of three and a half years spent in traveling through Texas, visiting San Antonio, Pearsall, and he also stopped in Gallenas seven months, practicing medicine. Once more starting on his travels, and seeing many places of interest, he set sail for Arkansas May 7, 1887. Mr. Jones was married April 28, 1856, to Miss Marietta Gratehouse. Eight children came to gladden their home, only three living to reach maturity: Hybernia, Elizabeth Eudora, Martha, Mary Magdaline, Marietta, Joseph Arthur, Laura and Margaret Tennessee. Joseph is living at Center Ridge, Conway County, and Martha is the wife of Edward Vann, living at Plummerville. Laura is the wife of William Gardner, and lives at Plummerville. Mrs. Marietta Jones died June 3, 1870, and on December 20, 1870, Mr. Jones married Miss Anna Watson, who was born and reared until nine years old, in County Carlow, Ireland. Her father, Thomas Watson, came to Little Rock in 1849, and bought a farm seven miles north of Little Rock, from which place he returned, two years later, to the city, where the balance of his life was spent, his death occurring in 1856. For some time he was employed in the recorder’s office. His wife departed this life in October, 1860. Mrs. Jones received a liberal education, and it was such as to fit her to teach in private families in Arkansas. She has traveled a great deal during life, visiting many places of interest, frequently going to Dublin. Chief Justice Blackburn was her mother’s uncle. In December, 1863, she visited Matamoras, going thence to Yucatan with Dr. Gilkey and family, where she remained two years, afterward passing six months at Havana, Cuba, thence to Butler, Penn., and finally returning to Louisburg, Ark. Dr. Jones and his wife are the parents of three children: Robert Sterling (born April 11, 1873, died July 20, 1874), Zula (born February 5, 1875), John Cliborne (born July 4, 1877). Dr. Jones takes a very active part in public affairs, and was representative from Conway County to the legislature from 1854 to 1856. He can trace his ancestry in a direct line to the Jones family of Wales, who, for more than 500 years, were kings. Mrs. Jones is also a descendant of an old and prominent family, the Carrolls, one of whom was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Her father was a member of Parliament before coming to this country. Dr. Jones is an active Farmers’ Alliance man. He served as surgeon in the Confederate army several months, but was compelled to leave the service on account of ill-health.