This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: MichaelCronk28 Surnames: BRADLEY, FOSTER, HALE, JONES, MORSE, NEVINS, RIKER, WHITNEY, WILLIAMS Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.fulton/2526/mb.ashx Message Board Post: CHARLES W. JONES. Passing by more than a full year the limit of human life as fixed by the sacred writer, and rounding out a complete and shapely career of usefulness to his kins, although following through life the quiet and unostentatious vocation of the old patriarchs, the late CHARLES W. JONES, of Richland township, this county, gave to those around him an example of diligence and frugality, of fidelity to duty, under often trying circumstances, and of elevated and serviceable citizenship that is well worthy of emulation. Coming to the county in the early period of its history, he accepted the conditions of life as he found them, determined to not only endure their hardships and difficulties with cheerfulness and courage, but to make the most of them for the benefit of himself and the rest of the community. Mr. Jones was born at Kingsborough, Fulton county, N. Y., on March I, 1825. His parents, Ephraim and Desire (WILLIAMS) JONES, were also natives of the Empire state, and on its soi! l their son grew to manhood, acquiring habits of useful industry on his father's farm, and the rudiments of an education in the district schools near his home, supplementing the latter with good and extended courses of study at Kingsborough and Johnstown academies in his native state, where he also taught school five years. In 1847 he came to this county and located in Richland township, where he maintained his home until his death, on March 5, I896. During all of his residence here he was devoted to farming and raising fine stock of superior breeds, doing in all things his utmost in care and energy to secure the best results, and never failing in the attainment of his object in this respect. He also for a time dealt in live stock on an extensive scale and with good profits; and for more than thirty years was the local agent, and more than twenty the state agent of a Lowell, Mass., firm in the purchase of wool. He always took an active and helpful part in local affairs, ser! ving as township treasurer two terms and in other official and semi-of ficial. positions from time to time. His church affiliation was with the Presbyterians, and his fraternal relations were with the Masonic order, in both of which organizations he was an appreciated worker for many years. On April 5, 1848, he married with Miss Eunice M. NEVINS, a native of Orange county, Vt., born on August 4, I830, and a daughter of Alfred and Cynthia (MORSE) NEVINS, of old New England families. In 1844 the family moved to this county and settled in Richland township, where the father died in I858, and the mother in I883. Mrs. Jones was one of nine children, four of whom are living, she and her sisters, Cynthia O. (Mrs. S. W. HALE, of Bedford, Mich.), Sarah M. (Mrs. Marcus RIKER of Hastings, Mich,), and Augusta M. (Mrs. Stebbins WHITNEY, of Richland, Mich.) In the Jones household five children were born, three of whom are living, Alfred W., Charles E. and Cynthia D. Alfred W. is the general manager of the Equitable Fire Insurance Company of St. Paul, Minn., ! and is widely and favorably known throughout the Northwest. Charles E., the son remaining in Kalamazoo county, who is living on the paternal homestead, which he has managed since he was sixteen years old, was born on the farm on February 2, I868, and was reared and educated in the township, attending the common schools for his scholastic training and Parson's Business College in Kalamazoo for business knowledge. His life has been devoted to farming and in that branch of productive industry he has attained a high rank in the county for the wisdom of his operations and the vigor of their management. On October 26, I892, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. FOSTER, a resident of Richland township and a native of this county, the daughter of Samuel and Clara (BRADLEY) FOSTER. Six children have been born to their union, Loyal Charles, Leland B., and twins, Edwin S. and Eveline C., born July 5, I905, who are living, and two who have died. Neither political activities nor f! raternal associations have interested Mr. Jones. On his farm and in hi s family he finds full occupation and enjoyment, and devotes himself wholly to them, except where the general interests and enduring welfare of the community engage his attention, and to them he is ever cordially and helpfully responsive. His father kept a diary for many years, carefully recording local events and matters of moment and the narrative is one of engrossing interest and great importance, being a faithful portrayal of the passing life of the conimmunity through its various stages of early and later development. His prominence and general acquaintance in the county gave him good opportunities for full and accurate knowledge of men and occurrences, and the record he has left is in brief a graphic history of the section iN which he lived, the progress which he aided and the men he knew. --Fisher, David and Little, Frank (Editors), Compendium of History and Biography of Kalamazoo County, Mich. (Illustrated), A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, n.d., Pgs. 345-346 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.