Jay William Jones (1840 - 1910)

Born 21 Sep 1840 in Oneida, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth O (Gates) Jones — married 10 Nov 1863 in Rock, Wisconsin, United States

Descendants

Died 3 Sep 1910 at age 69 in Walworth, Wisconsin, United States

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Biography

Jay William Jones was born in Oneida County, New York on 21 Sep 1840 to Stephen & Abby Walworth Jones. His family relocated to Wisconsin Territory in 1843, & by 1850 were farming in the community of Spring Prairie in Walworth County, where Jay was living with his adoptive brother (Francis), parents, & his maternal grandparents as of the census.^[1]

Decades later, Jay would account that his father had come close to being elected sheriff, claiming he was only short four votes. He also claimed that the family had been connected with the Underground Railroad, & while specific accounts of the Jones family in relation to the Railroad have not been found, the town of Prairie Spring did serve as a stop, & accounts suggest many residents were supporters of the abolitionist movement.^[2][3]

Although he never served, Jay was registered for the Civil War draft at Spring Prairie in 1863, listed as working as a laborer.^[4][5]

By 1870, Jay had married Elizabeth Gates, & was living with her, their three children, his mother, & his brother Francis, at East Troy in Walworth County. His occupation was listed as "meat vendor," which would later be shared by son Joseph & grandson Leroy. Francis was listed as being a law student, which Jay would also later claim to have once been.^[6][2]

In 1893, Jay was arrested for possession of a stolen harness. Although the exact details of the crime aren't well-explained in the newspaper, he was allowed to speak on his own behalf at one point, & described the story of his life, speaking to his own character in service to the church (nine years as a church organist & choir leader around Clinton, WI), & claiming that, had he taken the harness intentionally, he would have been more clever in avoiding arrest. The judge was unconvinced, & in total jay was fined upwards of $175.^[2]

In 1897, Jay filed a lawsuit against the Milwaukee Railroad for damages of $5000 after an accident that had left him with a broken shoulder & wrist.^[7]

In 1900, Jay was living with wife, mother, & children in Clinton, where he was again listed as a farmer.^[8]

From 1905-1910, Jay lived with his daughter Carrie & her husband Clarence McPherson in Bloomfield, Walworth County.^[9][10]

Jay W. Jones died in Walworth County, Wisconsin on 3 Sep 1910. He was buried at Clinton Cemetery in Clinton, but no marker of his grave remains.^[11][12]

Sources

1. ↑ 1850 Census: "1850 United States Federal Census"
   The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Spring Prairie, Walworth, Wisconsin; Roll: 1007; Page: 188b; Line Number: 37
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8054 #9031144 (accessed 21 July 2023)
   Jay W Jones (9) in Spring Prairie, Walworth, Wisconsin, USA. Born in New York.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} 1893 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com"
   Janesville Daily Gazette (Janesville, Wisconsin) Fri, Dec 22, 1893, page 4
   Newspapers Clip: 128656229 (accessed 22 July 2023)
3. ↑ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f034b42a052970d1caad67d/t/5f09eaae05f9c80a148321a0/1594485428986/Town-of-Spring-Prairie.pdf
4. ↑ Military: "U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865"
   National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registration Records (Provost Marshal General's Bureau; Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865); Record Group: 110, Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War); Collection Name: Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865 (Civil War Union Draft Records); NAI: 4213514; Archive Volume Number: 2 of 4
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1666 #3335209 (accessed 22 July 2023)
   Name: Jay W Jones; Birth Year: abt 1841; Place of Birth: New York; Age on 1 July 1863: 22; Race: White; Marital Status: Unmarried (Single); Residence: Walworth, Wisconsin; Congressional District: 1st; Class: 1.
5. ↑ 1863 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com"
   Semi-Weekly Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) Sat, Nov 14, 1863, page 3
   Newspapers Clip: 128670810 (accessed 22 July 2023)
6. ↑ 1870 Census: "1870 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1870; Census Place: East Troy, Walworth, Wisconsin; Roll: M593_1741; Page: 84B
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7163 #8453477 (accessed 22 July 2023)
   Jacy W Jones (30), Meat Vender, in East Troy, Walworth, Wisconsin. Born in New York.
7. ↑ 1897 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com"
   Portage Daily Democrat (Portage, Wisconsin) Wed, Oct 6, 1897, page 3
   Newspapers Clip: 128672913 (accessed 22 July 2023)
8. ↑ 1900 Census: "1900 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1900; Census Place: Clinton, Rock, Wisconsin; Roll: 1814; Page: 3; Enumeration District: 0168
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7602 #64076615 (accessed 22 July 2023)
   Jay W Jones (59), married, Farmer, head of household in Clinton, Rock, Wisconsin. Born in New York, USA.
9. ↑ 1905 Census: "Wisconsin, U.S., State Censuses, 1855-1905"
   Wisconsin Historical Society; Madison, Wisconsin; Census Year: 1905; Line: 37; Page number: 8
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1055 #1359584 (accessed 22 July 2023)
   J W Jones (64) father-in-law in household of Clarence Mc Pherson (49) in Bloomfield, Walworth, Wisconsin, USA. Born in New York.
10. ↑ 1910 Census: "1910 United States Federal Census"
    Year: 1910; Census Place: Bloomfield, Walworth, Wisconsin; Roll: T624_1739; Page: 9b; Enumeration District: 0133; FHL microfilm: 1375752
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7884 #31189293 (accessed 22 July 2023)
    Jay W Janes (69), widowed father-in-law, Own Income, in household of Clarance Mc Pherson (52) in Bloomfield, Walworth, Wisconsin, USA. Born in New York.
11. ↑ Death: "Wisconsin, U.S., Death Records, 1959-2004"
    Wisconsin Department of Health Services; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Death Records, 1907-1932
    Ancestry Record 61483 #2434965 (accessed 22 July 2023)
    Jay W Jones death 3 Sep 1910 in Walworth, Wisconsin, USA.
12. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (no image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #88202569 (accessed 22 July 2023)
    Memorial page for Jay Williams Jones (21 Sep 1840-3 Sep 1910), citing Clinton Cemetery, Clinton, Rock County, Wisconsin, USA; Maintained by Rosa (contributor 47959718).