Idaho 1890

Very little seems to be recorded involving the JONES surname early in the history of Idaho.  In Jones Journeys, there appears to be only one family found relating to this state which was formed 1890.  A Stephen Jones who was born 16 January 1812 in Hickman, Tennessee.  It is stated that he and his second wife [Isabelle Jane Jones] came to Idaho from Arkansas and homesteaded north of Weiser on Manna Creek.  He died Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho 4 April 1895.  This Stephen and his 1st wife Jane are reported to have 11 children, and with his second wife Isabell, he had 9 children.  Can you imagine 20 children!  Wonder if this is where the "Idaho Potato" had its roots?

From: Jones Journeys, Vol. 14, 1986 - 1987, p. 1298.

South Dakota 1889

Formed a new state the same year as North Dakota, the expansion of the country  continued.  The Homestead Act of 1862 provided incentive for the the grants of land to railway companies, and laws providing for the quick sale of timber and mineral lands lead to rapid settlement.  Farmers, miners, prospectors, cattlemen and lumbermen, with or without families poured into the Western territories.

For the JONES surname, Thomas J. Jones of South Dakota was one of the early folks.  It is given that in 1850 he was born in Wales, but brought to the States by his parents when only two years of age.  He grew up in Wisconsin.  He married Mary Ellen Morris in 1879 and moved to Aurora County, S.D.  Farming became his occupation.  No date of death is recorded.  Any folks out there related?

Taken from: Jones Journeys, Vol. VII, p. 220.  It is stated that this information is from: Compendium of Local Biography - Central South Dakota.

North Dakota 1889

Dakota Territory it was until 1889. [Also considered part of Louisiana and Minnesota Territories.]  The Dakota word means "Allied", and those who arrived here would certainly need to work together to get through their winters.

An 1870 Census record of this Dakota Territory shows a few folks with the surname JONES. [Thirteen head of households to be exact.]  Four were listed as "soldier" [31%], five were listed as "farmer" [38%], two were listed as "carpenter" [15%], and one was named "laborer".  The females in the households were given as "housewf."   The birthplaces of these folks were from Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, Canada, Georgia, Missouri, Maryland, England, and of course Wales.  It would seem that an Alexander Jones and his wife Jane had a child name Carry who's age was listed as "4".  It gives her as being born in "Dakota", which would have placed these folks here 1866.  A carpenter old Alexander was listed, and this activity would certainly have been important.  Brave folks indeed they were.

Montana 1889

From the Spanish meaning "mountain", this Dakota Territory became the 40th State of the Union.
Yellowstone River passes through the area, and in its very beginning was considered part of Louisiana, Missouri, and Nebraska Territories.

There does not appear to be many that carried the surname JONES in this early period.  Montana's "Nez Perce" Jones gets most of the attention.  His name was John Henry Jones and is reported to have been born in Jasper County, MO. around 1844.  He arrived to Montana around 1860 with his eyes on prospecting.  As the story is told by W.W. Moses in the Kalispell Times, Feb. 20, 1930, his experience with the Indian tribes of the area lead them to believe he was "very bad medicine" and left him strictly alone.  His name was given by the Nez Perce Indians and the story of his life is given in Jones Journeys, Vol.10,  pp.568-571.  He is reported to have lived to the age of 82.

Well how about that...any know the story?

Washington 1889

Early as 1811, folks began the settlement to a new territory, called the Washington Territory.  Using the Colombia River they expanded their activities which at first clustered with Oregon and Louisiana Territories.

An interesting set of information can be found in the Census of 1880 for this territory. [Not sure if there are official records prior to this census?]  Enough folks must have joined together, for some nine years later they became a State of the Union.  At any rate, this census contains a fair number of families with the surname JONES.  It listed each family member by name, their age, their place of birth, and the location of their parents place of birth.  Using those identified as being born in the Washington Territory, I tired to figure out who might be the earliest JONES family.  For example, there was in Wahkiakum Co.,  a John Jones listed as "boarder, fisherman".  His age was given at 26, and it was documented that he was born Washington Territory.  This would place [at least his mother] present 1854.  This was the oldest JONES born in the Territory listed in the 1880 census.  A variety of occupations including "works in mill", "laborer", "farmer", "tinsmith", "housekeeper", "merchant", "employee", "stock herder", and "coal miner".  There were those born in Wales, England, Ireland, Finland, British Colombia, and Hamberg.   Multiple states of the Union are listed as place of birth [for both father and mother].  These states included OH, IA, NY, IN, MO, TN, VA, PA, MA, OR, IL, WI, VT and of course KY.  What a group of folks it is.

The information is taken from Jones Journeys, Vol. 16, 1988 - 1989, pp. 1474-1476.  It is titled "Washington Territory, Census of 1880".

Colorado 1876

The Hillside Cemetery, Silverton, San Juan County seems to be one of the earliest burial places for those with the surname JONES.  An account in The Jones Journeys [Vol.18, No. 3, 1833 - 1835] gives the story.  States this area was first settled in 1874.  The major activity was mining, and many of the early folks were involved in this activity.    It is recorded on p. 1835 [The Jones Journeys] that a Louisa Jones [Mrs. W.W. Jones] died 31 August 1892.  A tall stone with a fenced enclosure  surrounds a marker inscription written in Welsh.  A Henry Jones died 13 July 1897, at 46 years of age.  He is recorded as being born at Brithdir, North Wales, and the inscription of his marker was in Welsh.  It would seem that a fair number of Welsh mining folks made their way to Colorado.

Nebraska 1867

It was just after the close of the American Civil War that folks moved their wagons past Chimney Rock to settle in this new territory called Nebraska.  The name meaning 'water-valley', it was form out of the Louisiana and Nebraska territories.  The 1860 Census list at least 45 households that registered an individual with the surname JONES. [Jones Journeys, Vol. 15, 1987 - 1988, pp. 1395-1397.]  There were folks from all over the map, including a fair number from Wales, England, and Ireland.  There were farmers, clerks, carpenters, druggist, servants, teamsters, postmasters, domestics, land agents, millwights, miners, traders, and wagon makers.  There were folks from NY, NJ, PA, OH, IN, IA, IL, MO, and VT. [Mostly Northern ]  There were a few from VA, and MO [southern states] , and several from KY and MD [neutral states].  What a mixture it was.

Douglas Co. Marriage records reveal an Anney Jones (age 18) to have married Nelson Brown on 12 Apr 1857.  A James A. Jones marries a Margrata Sheldon on 2 Sept 1857. [Jones Journeys, Vol. 18, 1990-1991, p. 1783.]  These Jones were active in Nebraska Territory a decade before it became a State in the Union.

Nevada 1864

The 37th state that was to be formed comes from Spanish that means  "Snow-Covered Mountains".  It was admitted to the Union, October 31, 1864.  Interesting enough, it is one of only two states not to have a person with the JONES surname among the pages of Jones Journeys. [Published 1973 - 1992]  No early JONES discussed in these 19 volumes that I can discover.  Does anyone have a source or record of an early JONES family in Nevada?  Please post any information in the comment section below.

West Virginia 1863

Strong opposition to secession lead a group of folks in the western parts of Virginia to withdraw from this state.  These folks were so opposed to separating from the Union, they joined together forming a new state called "West" Virginia.  Prior to 1863, this geographic area had been part of  Virginia, and the first folks to settle there were in counties of Virginia.  Hampshire Co. seems to be the first form in 1754, officially out of Augusta which was formed 1745.

The first Jones listed in this county was on 9 December 1757.  Gabriel Jones, whose wife was listed as Margaret of the city of Augusta leased lot #52 containing 200 acres upon Wappeomo or Great South Branch of Potomac to a George Hoge of the city of Hampshire.  This was recorded in Hampshire records 13 Dec 1757.  "Ja. Keith" and "H. Churchill" were given as witness. 

Reference is taken from Jones Journeys, Vol 8, p.333.  It is recorded as being taken from Early Records of Hampshire County, Va, by Clara McCormack Sage & Laura Sage Jones, 1976.  [There would have to be a Jones in the mix.]

Kansas 1861

The Civil War had started and folks were certainly occupied.  Only two states were admitted during this war period [Kansas 1861 and Nevada 1864], but the westward rush of pioneers continued.  Of course those with the JONES surname were there.  In Franklin township one of the first districts to be established in Jackson County [originally Calhoun County] was called "Brick schoolhouse district".  At "Brick Cemetery" [Holton, KS] is buried Harlan C. Jones, b. 6 Mar. 1814; d. 12 Apr 1870.  The wife of Harlan C. is also buried, and a daughter Narcissa [b. 1846] rest here as well.  This would place Harlan in the Kansas area around 1845.  It must have been an interesting place to settle. 

                      [wife was Ruth Hannah (Zell) Jones, b. 3 Mar 1816; d. 19 Apr 1893]

Reference: Jones Journeys, Vol. 13,  p. 1086.

Oregon 1859

 The extreme western end of the Louisiana Purchase [Oregon country] had been settled by fur traders, missionaries, and farmers from the eastern side of the Mississippi.  By 1843, enough folks had gathered to form a compact for government which helped provide cooperation among the various settlements.  The earliest JONES to arrive in this territory was Michael Jones, b. 1804,  Kanawha Co., VA.  He is reported to have arrived Oregon 15 November 1845.  He settled a land claim 6 April 1852, and would have been one of the first to carrying the surname JONES.  Oregon officially became a State of the Union in 1859.

There were a fair number of JONES in the 1860 Census of Oregon.  Some making land claims before Michael, but he is the earliest to have arrived that I have been able to discover.  From all over it seems the JONES surname comes : 1) Ohio, 2) New York, 3) Indiana, 4) Kentucky, 5) Pennsylvania, 6) Maryland, 7) New Jersey, 8) Tennessee, 9) North Carolina, 10) Iowa, 11) Virginia, 12) Missouri, 13) South Carolina, 14) Nebraska, 15) Alabama, 16) Illinois, 17) Ireland, 18) Bavaria,  and 19) Germany.  What a deal...a mixing and matching indeed. 

Data from 1860 census taken from: Jones Journeys, Vol. 4, 1976, pp.59-63.
Michael Jones found Genealogical Material in Oregon Donation Land Claims, Vol. I; abstracted by Geneal. Forum of Portland, Oregon 1957.  As abstracted: Jones Journeys, Vol. 11, 1983-1984, p.710.

Minnesota 1858

David Jones is describe as "...a prominent citizen and well-to-do farmer of Shakatan township, Lincoln county, Minnesota, and resides on section 11."  A fairly lengthy account can be found in "Illustrated Album of Biography of Southwestern Minnesota and Northwestern Iowa - 1889."

His family story is given, and best I can tell he arrives Winnebago county, Wisconsin around 1850.  Interesting story given here.  He has to be one of the earliest JONES to the Minnesota area.  Any descendants out there?

The reference is taken from: Jones Journeys, Vol. 4, 1976, pp.43 - 45.