WI BIO - Lafayette Co - JONES, Thomas J.

Commemorative Biographical Record of Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and 
Lafayette, Wisconsin, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and 
Representative Citizens, and of Many of the Early Settled Families. Chicago: 
Beers, 1901, pp 161-162

Among those who since 1850 have found a happy dwelling place within the 
borders of Lafayette County [Wisconsin], and have left the impress of their 
own individuality upon its activities is Thomas J. JONES, who was born in 
North Wales [p 162] on 23 March 1823, son of John and Jane JONES, both of 
whom were also born in Wales, where the mother passed her last days. The 
father [John JONES] came to America, and in his old age was ministered to by 
our subject until his death, in 1871. Our subject [Thomas J. JONES] came to 
America on a sailing vessel, landing in New Orleans in 1848, the journey 
consuming two months. He then made his way up the Mississippi River as far 
as Galena [Jo Daviess County, Illinois], thence to Dodgeville, in Iowa 
County, Wisconsin, where he immediately found employment at his trade of 
mason. In 1850 he made a purchase from Major ROUNTREE, of Platteville [Grant 
County, Wisconsin], of 160 acres of land, his present farm, upon which he 
erected a rock house, in which he has resided until the present time. 
Following his trade, he built many rock houses throughout Grant, Iowa, and 
Lafayette Counties [Wisconsin], all of these attesting to his superior work, 
as they will long remain after he is gathered to his fathers.

The marriage of Mr. [Thomas J.] JONES occurred in 1852, to Margaret DEVANEY, 
of Mineral Point [probably Mineral Point in Iowa County, Wisconsin; less 
likely is Mineral Point, Green County, Wisconsin], a daughter of Robert and 
Jane DEVANEY, who were born in Wales, where they died. Mrs. JONES [Margaret 
nee DEVANEY] was born was born in Wales in 1825. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
JONES [Thomas J. and Margaret (DEVANEY) JONES] settled in the new home, where 
for thirty-six years they lived in happiness, the death of Mrs. [Thomas J.] 
JONES, in 1888, breaking the tender tie. Mrs. JONES was a woman of Christian 
character and her cheerful and capable management in the privations of 
pioneer life, with its toil and danger, endeared her not only to her own 
family, but to all others who came within her acquaintance.

The children born of this union [of Thomas J. and Margaret (DEVANEY) JONES] 
were five in number: (1) Robert died when two years old. (2) John, born 
in 1855, married in California, where he still resides, being a bookkeeper in 
a mint in that State; he was a cadet in a military school in San Francisco, 
from which he graduated. (3) Mary, born in 1856, married John PRYTCHECT. 
(4) Annie, born in 1858, married Morris JONES [related to Thomas J. JONES?], 
a native of Wales, and they now reside in Gage County, Nebraska, where they 
own a half section of land; they have a family of six children: Maggie, 
Miriam, Jennie, Owen, William, and May, the two eldest being married. (5) 
Elizabeth, born in 1860, married Robert R. HUGHES, in Iowa County 
[Wisconsin], where they live on a farm; they have three children: Lena, 
Thomas, and Maggie.

John PRYTCHECT, the husband of the eldest daughter [Mary] of our subject, was 
born in Wales 16 July 1844, coming to Wisconsin in 1868, and settling on the 
JONES homestead after his marriage; he managed the latter as well as his own. 
His land comprises a whole section adjoining that of his father-in-law. 
Mrs. [John] PRYTCHECT [Mary nee JONES] died in 1889, and in 1895 Mr. [John] 
PRYTCHECT was again married, his second wife being Miss Ellen THOMAS, the 
daughter of T. O. and Ellen THOMAS, who came to this county [Lafayette 
County, Wisconsin] in 1892; she was born in 1864 in Wales, where she received 
a good education. The children of the first marriage [those of John and Mary 
(JONES) PRYTCHECT were: (1) Thomas P., born in 1873, who married Elsie 
EVANS; (2) Margaret, born in 1875, who married Eugene EULOE; (3) John, born 
in 1877, who married Adeline SUHER, of Platteville [Grant County, Wisconsin]; 
(4) Robert, born in 1888; and (5) Samuel, born in 1886, who died two years 
later. Mr. [John] PRYTCHECT is one of the leading stock growers of this 
section, owning much cattle and many fine horses, besides great numbers of 
fine hogs.

Although Mr. [Thomas J.] JONES began life in Wisconsin without a dollar, he 
has, by the exercise of energy, good judgment, and thrift, become one of the 
substantial and moneyed men of Lafayette County [Wisconsin]. Fortunate 
transactions in real estate resulted prosperously for him, and although 
during his life he has seen much hardship, and worked industriously, he has 
now the reward. The people of the community where he has lived so long look 
upon him with respect, and he will long be remembered for the many acts of 
generosity and kindness which he has delighted to show to those less 
fortunate than himself.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly
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