R. W. Jones was born in Fayette County, Penn., July 16, 1816; is one of the eleven children of Richard and Margaret (Forsyth) Jones, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The mother died in about 1830, and in 1853 the father came to this county, where his son, R. W. was living, and here died the following fall. R. W. Jones, when six years of age, was taken by his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, where he received a common school education, and where he was married, April 19, 1840, to Arilla Aylsworth. Shortly after this event, he came to Boone Township, this county, farmed for seven years, and then came to Valparaiso, engaged in various pursuits, and now is dealing in agricultural implements. He is a Democrat, but was formerly a Whig, and by the latter party, in 1850, was elected and re-elected Sheriff, serving four years; he has also served two terms as Justice of the Peace. He has had born to him six children, viz., Mary, who died when ten year’s old; Emeline, widow of Elias Schenck; Ervin D., who married Mary Baum; Samantha, now Mrs. J. B. Luddington; Florence, who died when about twenty-fours old; and Frank H., who married Alice Williams, and is partnership with his brother, Ervin D., in the livery business. Mr. Jones is the owner of some good town property, besides over two hundred acres in Porter County, all gained by his business tact and good management. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
