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.