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John Barton Jones needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is well known in Waukon and Allamakee
county, where he has resided since 1875. He is one of the active business men and public spirited citizens of the
community, where for a number of years he has been in the grain and coal business, winning in the conduct of his
affairs that success which always follows earnest and persistent labor.
John Barton Jones was born in Newport, England, of English and Welsh parentage, and was left an orphan when he
was four years of age. At the age of eighteen years a friend of the family from Wisconsin visited England and persuaded
him to come to America and he accordingly crossed the Atlantic, accompanying his friend to the vicinity of Bloomington,
Wisconsin, where he worked upon the farm. He subsequently clerked for a short time in a store, continuing at that
occupation until 1875, when he left Wisconsin and moved westward seeking a favorable locality to make a permanent
location. However, not liking the country, he began his return journey to Wisconsin, but on his way east arrived
in Waukon. He was at that time obliged to work at anything which would bring him an income. He secured a position
as a member of the construction department of the narrow gauge railroad then being built into Waukon and he later
worked with Mr. Hale on the surveys, aiding also in important bridge construction work. He continued in this line
of employment until the spring of 1876, when he joined C. O. Howard and George. Stoddard in the building of an
elevator in the city. After the completion of this building he took charge of Mr. Howard's grain business and from
1880 until 1890 worked ably in his interests. In the latter year he resigned in order to enter the county auditor's
office and after serving one term was reelected, acting as auditor for four consecutive years. After leaving the
office he formed a partnership with M. W. Eaton and they purchased the elevator known as elevator No. 1 in Waukon,
Mr. Jones taking charge of the grain and elevator business. The firm also deals extensively in coal and building
material and has secured an extensive patronage. Much of the credit for the expansion of the business is due to
Mr. Jones' energy and enterprise and he is known in Waukon as a resourceful, far sighted and progressive business
man, whose judgment is seldom if ever at fault.
Mr. Jones married, in Waukon, Miss Ada J. Goodrich, who was born and reared in Aliamakec county. Her father, Lyman
W. Goodrich, was one of the pioneers in this section of Iowa, having located here in 1852. He was a native of New
York, born in Chautauqua county in 1824, and in his early youth moved with his parents to Illinois, residing in
Cook and later in Kane county. He married, in 185o, Miss Julia Merrian, a native of Canada, and after his marriage
turned his attention to farming, coming. in 1852 to Allamakee county, where he resided until his death. Mr. and
Mrs. Jones became the parents of three children: Alfred G., who makes his home in North Dakota; Stella F., who
is a teacher in the public schools in Montana; and Lyman B., who died at the age of five years. Mrs. Jones is a
member of the Presbyterian church of Waukon.
In politics Mr. Jones is a stanch republican and has supported the party since casting his first vote. Aside from
his service as county auditor he has also done able work on the board of township trustees and is progressive and
public spirited in matters of citizenship. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias in Waukon and
his religious views are in accord with the doctrines of the Episcopal church. He is numbered among the successful
and prominent men of Waukon and his prosperity is the more creditable to him since it has been attained through
his own determination, energy and enterprise, for he started out in life empty handed and, by the force of these
qualities in his character has worked his way upward to success. His business enterprise has carried him forward
into important commercial and financial relations and his friendly spirit has gained him the warm and lasting regard
of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
From:
Past and Present of Allamakee County, Iowa
A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievemant
By: Ellery M. Hancock
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chiago 1913
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