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20 HISTORY OF CLEVELAND
resolution of seeking a home in the new world. In 1848 in company with several
others, he embarked on the sailing vessel William Vale, and was six weeks and
four days in crossing the Atlantic, for at times they encountered contrary winds
which drove them out of their course. After landing he shared his few remaining
pennies with his comrades and then began to look for work. He started on foot
towards Geneva, New York, working at intervals to aid him in the journey. At
length he found employment with a good old Quaker farmer who taught him
the American ways, ideas and principles and instilled into his mind valuable
lessons which remained with him through life. He saved his money and a few
years later went by way of Buffalo to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before going he
was able to loan his employer the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars which
he had saved from his earnings. Later he settled at Galena, Illinois, where he
arrived after various exciting adventures with wild animals in a walk of ninety-six
miles, which he accomplished in four days. He then worked in that locality
for several months.
A party was being formed at Galena to make the overland trip to California
in search of gold and Mr. Jones decided to go. The expense of the journey
would be one hundred dollars and he wrote to his former employer for the
money which he had loaned. He could not get it, however, in time to go with
the party, and this proved very fortunate for him as later word was received
that the entire party had been killed by the Indians. In 1854 he had saved six
hundred dollars and with this sum he felt that he was justified in establishing
a home of his own. He therefore, in central New York, married Miss Susanna
Jones, with whom he had became acquainted on shipboard while crossing the
Atlantic. They went west, located on a section of land near Rockford, Michigan,
and there took an active part in the interests of the community.
A few years later they returned to Hall's Corners where Mr. Jones' wife died,
where he remained until 1871. He was there engaged in the manufacturing
business and in real-estate operations. Mr. Jones assisted in the building of
the little church at Halls Corners and with his violin led the choir, this being
the only musical instrument they had. He was also a good singer and his voice
added much to the musical features of the program for Sunday worship. In
1871, however, he made his way to Cleveland, where he purchased five acres
of land in East Cleveland from Levi Thomas for which he paid fifty-five
hundred dollars. In 1872 he sold a portion of this to John T. A. Holah, at
twenty dollars per foot, this being the first land to be sold in that locality by
the foot. He afterward purchased several acres from the Doan family
for sixteen thousand dollars and a short time afterward sold it for
twenty thousand, thus realizing a handsome profit on his investment. By gradual
stages he worked into the real-estate business, in which he continued until
a few years prior to his death, when he retired from active life. He handled
considerable valuable property and his sound judgment enabled him to make
judicious investments and profitable sales.
After losing his first wife Mr. Jones wedded Miss Mary J. Watkins, of Rockford,
Michigan, who was a near and dear friend of his first wife and a daughter
of John Watkins who came from Wales. This marriage was celebrated November
3, 1861. Beside his widow he left at his death two children: Emma,
the wife of Alvin C. Birge, a carpenter and builder of Cleveland; and William
A. Jones, who owns and conducts a ranch in California.
Mr. Jones was a self-made and self-educated man who wisely used his
opportunities and by his own sterling worth and honorable purpose worked his
way upward. His good judgment and capability were used in many ways. He
not only successfully conducted real-estate interests but also invested his earnings
in government bonds and the wisdom of his judgment was demonstrated
in later years, for there is no safer investment to be made. He cared little for
politics but gave his allegiance to the republican party. He preferred to give
his time to his family who found him a generous and devoted husband and
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