Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana – 1918
Tyndall & Lesh, Pages 602 & 603

WILLIAM L. JONES

Among the highly respected members of the agricultural fraternity in Chester Township none stands higher in public esteem than William L. Jones. With the exception of several short periods he has made his home here all his life and his name is inseparably connected with its agricultural interests, for he has made farming his life work, and today is the owner of a property consisting of eighty acres, his home being located on Poneto Rural Route No. 1.

Mr. Jones was born on a farm in Jackson County, Ohio, May 14, 1853, and is a son of Robert F. and Lavina (Tripp) Jones, who were both born and reared in Ohio and there married. After the birth of three of their children, they came to Wells County, in September, 1853, and settled on the farm which is now owned by their son William L. They were honest and honorable people who won the confidence and respect of the people of their neighborhood, large of hears and generous of hand. Both rounded out well filled lives amid the surroundings of an agricultural atmosphere, and here passed away. Mr. Jones the elder was somewhat active in local politic, although principally as a supporter of others and seldom as a candidate. However, he served acceptably for three years in the capacity of township assessor. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge. Of the eight children born to him and Mrs. Jones, four are now living: James A., a resident of Illinois; William L; Theodore, whose home is in the state of Washington; and Oliver, who lives in Alaska.

William L. Jones was still a babe in arms when brought by his parents to Wells County, and his earliest recollections are connected with the home farm and the primitive conditions which still existed. During his boyhood he assisted in the cultivation of the family acres and in the meantime secured his education by attending the district school in the neighborhood of the Jones place. Upon several occasions he went away from home to work, but dutifully sent his wages to his parents, and it was not until he was twenty-one years old that he had money of his own to spend as he wished. Farming up to and after that time was his principal occupation, but he also worked for a short period in a sawmill at Bluffton and put in quite a good deal of time as a ditch contractor, of both of which employments he made a success. He was careful with his earnings, saving them thriftily, and when his parents died he bought the home place, taking over by purchase the interest of the other heirs to the estate. At the present time he is the owner of eighty acres of well-cultivated and productive land, lying in section 5, Chester Township, where he had modern improvements and good buildings. He has made a decided success of his operations as a general farmer, being thoroughly informed as to every department of his vocation, while in the estimation of the community he has shown his worth and usefulness as a public-spirited citizen. Personally he is big-hearted and generous and willing to help worthy movements. Fraternally, Mr. Jones is identified with Mount Zion Lodge No. 684, independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand, and a member of the Grand Lodge of the state. He is a democrat and has always been active in local affairs, although he has not cared for office. Mr. Jones is unmarried.