JOHN R. JONES was born in Louisa county, Virginia, December 18, 1827, is the son of Samuel and Lucy (Desper) Jones, natives of Virginia; died in the State of Ohio. They had ten children, of whom five are living, viz: David G., Samuel H., Mary J., John R. and William A. Mr. Jones came to Sangamon county in 1854 and located on his present home, on section nine; was married January 24, 1856, in Pike county, Ohio, to Mary A. Talbott, of Ohio, born June 24, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were blessed with six children, three of whom are living, viz: Samuel T., Nellie M., and Milton E. Mr. Jones received his education in Ohio. He began work for himself at the age of seventeen and followed farming and stock driving. He has driven stock to the eastern markets of New York and Philadelphia; owns one thousand three hundred and sixty acres of land of which forty acres are of timber, and the remainder prairie land. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Jones is a successful and enterprising farmer.