USA > Iowa > Howard County > Lime Springs > History of the Welsh in Minnesota, Foreston and Lime Springs, Ia. gathered by the old settlers > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
231
THE WELSHI IN MINNESOTA.
eighteen, preaching in the neighboring churches both in Eng- lish and Welsh, as a member of the Manchester and Salford Lay Preachers association. In January, 1888, he married Miss M. A. Evans, the daughter of Elijah Evans, of Pont Robert, now of Milwaukee, and the following April settled, as an architect, in San Francisco. In the fall of 1889 he entered the Pacific Theological Seminary, remaining for two years, supplying occasionally the Welsh churches of San Francisco and Oakland. In 1890 he entered Union Seminary of Chicago, where he graduated B. D. During his last Seminary year he started the North Side Mission, of the Plymouth church, of Milwaukee, where, under difficulties a church was organized with a membership of twenty-one, which has now grown to be a strong institution. Accepting a call from the Congre- gational church of Paynesville, Minn .. he was ordained July 14, 1891, and served the church for over two years very suc- cessfully. He then resigned to accept the Presbyterian churches of Shakopee and Eden Prairie, where he now labors faithfully and efficiently. During his brief stay of eleven months he has remodeled the church at Eden Prairie and is building a new church at Shakopee.
JONES, REV. RICHARD W .- Born near the Parish church of Llan Patrick, at Setollant, Anglesea, Wales, Octo- ber 9, 1823. His father died when he was but six years okl. and when he was ten years okt his mother also died. Ilis parents were both godly people and gave their young son an early religious bent. He emigrated to America in 1845, reach- ing New York City on March 13. He located first at Miners- ville, Pa., where in the fall of 1846 he began his ministerial work with the Calvinistic Methodist church. In July, 1847, he removed to Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., and at the Gymanfa of the C. M. held at Rome. N. Y., in 1857, Mr. Jones was ordained to the full work of the ministry. In April, 1863, he moved to Judson, Minn., where he preached to the C. M. churches for some years and afterwards to the Welsh Presbyterians during the few years such a church existed in Judson. In 1882 he moved to Miner county, South Dakota, where he now resides and preaches to the Presbyterian churches of the neighborhood. Though having had but few educational advantages he has studied theology well and his sermons always show good thought and research. He is a man of strong religious convictions and of much determina- tion and force of character.
232
THE WELSH IN MINNESOTA.
JONES, D. D., REV. THOMAS GRYFFYDD -- ( Taralate) Born at Penycae, in Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire, Wales, Jan- uary 6, 1832. Son of Rev. Griffith Jones, a Congregational minister, and his wife Hannah, daughter of Thomas Griffiths, puddling master, Pen-y-darren. His father was ordained at Bethel, Victoria, Monmouthshire, and served besides, the churches of Sardis in Pontypridd, Elim, in Mynydd Cynffyg, and Siloam, in Cefn Cribwr, and died at the advanced age of 82 at Ash Hall, Cowbridge, Montgomeryshire, at the resi- dence of his daughter, Mrs. Daniel Owen, proprietor of the Western Mail. His mother died at Cefen Cribwr, aged 77 years. Tavalaw was bright in his studies and received a fair education. He had also inherited from his mother talent for music and won many prizes as a musician and composer at the Eisteddfodan, under the adjudication of Tanymarian, Ieuan Gwyllt, Iquan Ddu, Gwilym Gwent and other great masters of music in Wales. At the age of 20 he began his career as musical adjudicator, in which capacity he has served frequently thereafter. Soon after attaining his majority he became a lecturer on musical subjects and was heard in many of the principal cities of Wales. At the age of 24 he married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Win. Evans, of Pont-y-pridd. The ,following year he became a coal shipper at Cardiff. While there he conceived the idea of compiling and publishing a col- lection of choral pieces under the title, "Y Drysorfa Gorawl" (The Choral Treasury ), which was the fore-runner of all choral work in Wales. In his 27th year his father's church, at Elim, noticing his success as a speaker on musical subjects, invited him to enter the ministry, which he did, commencing at that church. At 30 he became private secretary to Thos. Gee, the well known publisher of Denbigh. Subsequently he became a teacher in Dr. Williams' subsidised school at Holy- well. Here he began to publish a musical encyclopedia, which was ahead of the times, and therefore failed of sufficient pat- ronage. He now removed to Aberdare, started a printing office, and on the Sabbaths supplied various churches in the vicinity. December, 1866, he emigrated to America, and February 22, 1867, was ordained pastor of the Cong. church of Slatington, Pa. In 1868-9 he served the church of Summit Hill, Pa. Went to Arvonia, Kansas, in 1870, and bought a farm, and in 1871-2 held a co-pastorate with Dr. Walter Bar- rows. In 1872-3-4 he occupied the chair of Fine Arts at the State Normal school of Emporia, and in 1874 was elected to
233
TEE WELSH IN MINNESOTA.
the chair of the Classics, but through excessive work as direc- tor of the Emporia Choral Union, he suddenly lost his voice and had to resign his college position. In 1875-6 he served the Congregational church of Coal Valley, IN., thence he came to Minnesota and ministered to the Salem, Goshen and South Bend churches in Blue Earth county for three years, when he received a serious injury by an accidental fall from his buggy, and retired to his Kansas farm to recuperate. Served the church at Morris Run, Pa., in 1888 and the English Presbyterian church of Antrim, Pa., in 1889-90. In 1891 un- dertook to establish with the publisher, D. O. Evans, "The American Musical Times," but his health again broke down and he retired once more to his farm. Rallying he accepted a call to the church at Bala, Kansas, in 1894. He is a man of much ability as a preacher, poet, musician. essayist and critic.
JONES, THOS. O .- Born March 3, 1825, at Ty Du, Parish of Llansadwrn, Anglesea, Wales. Son of John and Margaret Jones. Emigrated to Racine, Wis., in spring of 1850, where he resided six years, and then removed to Calamus township, Dodge county, Wis, where he bought a farm. Married Jane, daughter of Wm. and Margaret Evans ( Fachgoch ), in 1861. In 1867 removed to Blue Earth county, Minn., and located on a farm in Judson, from which in the spring of 1875 he retired and built him a fine residence at Mankato, where he still lives. His first wife died September 5, 1884, and November 18, 1885 he married his present wife, Mary, daughter of Wm. and Mary Williams ( Pen-y-bryn ), Dodge county, Wis. Mr. Jones is a man whose word is as good as his note- scrupulously honest and just in all his dealings. By thrift and industry he has ac- quired a goodly amount of this world's goods and has not been neglectful of the world to come. He and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Mankato C. M. church. JJONES, THOMAS WYNNE .-- Born July 6, 1850, at Abera- man, Glanmorganshire, Wales. His parents were Jenkin and Elizabeth Jones and he is brother to Rev. J. Wynne Jones, of Baltimore, Md. In 1854 the family came to Union, Wis., and in 1862 moved to Columbus, Wis. In addition to the district school Mr. Jones spent two years, 1868 9 at Ripon college. He then entered mercantile business at Beaver Dam, Wis., where he remained for nine years. In 1879 he became traveling salesman for T. A. Chapman & Co., Milwaukee, and the following year represented C. E. Andrews & Co. in the same
.
234
THE WELSH IN MINNESOTA
capacity. He remained with them until 1884 when he ac- cepted a like position with Reed, Murdock & Fisher, of Chi- cago. Since 1889 he has been general salesman for the Northwest of the Bell, Conrad & Co., of Chicago, with head- quarters at Minneapolis in the Syndicate Block on Nicollet Ave. He married Miss Mary V. Harris February 15, 1877, at Beaver Dam, Wis., and they have one son 16 years old.
JONES, W.M. - Born near Llanrhiadr-mochnant, Montgom- eryshire, Wales, in September, 1840. Son of John and Mar- garet Jones ( Oshkosh ). Emigrated with his parents to Amer- ica in 1846 and settled on a farm near Waukesha, Wis., whence they removed to Oshkosh in 1850, and to a farm near South Bend, Minn., in August, 1854. In December. 1863, he enlisted in Company E, Second Minnesota Cavalry, and was promoted to first sergeant. His regiment served in the Indian cam- paigus. At the close of the war in 1865 he accepted a posi- tion as clerk in the store of Isaac Marks, at Mankato. In 1867 he formed a co-partnership with Isaac Cheshire in the dry goods business at Mankato, which continued until 1878, when he bought out Mr. Cheshire's interest and soon after removed the store to Lake Crystal, where he continued in bus- iness until January, 1882, when he became treasurer of Blue Earth county. He held this office for seven years, and then entered the firm of Boynton, Piper & Jones, and conducted its business of general merchandise, at Garden City, for two years. He next removed to Lake Crystal and in connection with Mr. Edward Washburn organized the Lake Crystal Mer- cantile company, and conducted its business until December, 1894, when it was closed out and Mr. Jones removed back to Mankato. Forming a partnership with Win. H. Jones, they opened a grocery store there in April, 1895. Mr. Jones was married to Miss Ella II. Dean in the fall of 1877, and they have one daughter.
JONES, REV. WM. A .- Born at Tynlon, Edeyrn, Carnar- vonshire, February 17, 1832. Son of Win. and Ann Jones. His maternal grandfather was Win. Owen, a renowned clock- maker of the same place. Young Jones went to Liverpool in 1849. and there began preaching at Pall Mall street church. in 1862. Emigrated to Utica, N. Y., in 1866. He was licensed to preach by the C. M. Presbytery of that locality in August of that year and ordained to the full work of the min- istry in June, 1873, and preached to the Welsh churches of Rome, Cattaraugus and Floyd, N. Y., until February 14, 1886,
235
THE WELSH IN MINNESOTA.
when he took pastoral charge of Saron and Elim churches, Le Sueur county, Minn., where he still continues. May 11, 1867, he married Ellen, daughter of Owen Davies, at Floyd, N. Y. They had one son, Win. G. Jones, who resides at Holland Patient, N. Y. His wife died December 10, 1869. Mr. Jones is one of the most honest and conscientious of men, and a faithful, carnest laborer for the Lord.
JONES, WM. E. - Born at Welshpool, Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 1831. Son of David and Elizabeth Jones, who emi- grated to Newark, Ohio, in 1841. In 1846 they moved to Jackson county, O., where in 1853, Win. E. Jones married Miss Margaret, daughter of Evan and Jane Griffiths, late of Le Sueur county. In May, 1856, he came with the Jackson col- ony to South Bend, Minn., and soon located on a farm in Le Sueur county. His wife died in 1873 and in 1881 he married his present wife, Miss Margaret Davies, sister of Mr. C. E. Davies, of Minneapolis. He has had nine children, four of whom are married, Elizabeth, wife of Evan V. Jones, Jud- son, David, who married Jane, daughter of David Jones, of Sharon, Mary, wife of Hon. Job Lloyd, of Sharon, and Mar- garet, wife of Edward J. Evans, Le Sueur county. Mr. Jones is a man of excellent judgment and character and has always taken an active interest in Christian work. A few years ago he retired from his farm to Le Sueur City where he now re- sides in comfortable circumstances.
JONES, WM. II .- Born October 12, 1864, at South Bend, Minn. Son of Edward R. and Jennette Jones. His father was a son of Thomas Jones ( Macs Mater), and his mother a daughter of the well known divine, Rev. Jenkin Jenkins. He was educated in the Mankato schools, and clerked in the gro- cery store of R. J. Thomas for about nine years. In 1890 he went to South Butte, Montana, and was deputy postmaster for a year. Ile then returned to Mankato and in October, 1891, opened a grocery store and was quite successful until the winter of 1893-4, when his store was burned. He soon started again and in April, 1895, formed a partnership with Wm. Jones. He is energetic and very popular.
JONES, WM. J .- Born November 29, 1834, at Llwynddewi, Cardiganshire, Wales. Son of John and Elizabeth Jones, who emigrated with their children to a place calleb Welsh Hills, near Newark, Ohio, in 1849, and thence in 1850 to Montello, Marquette county, Wis. He married Miss Ellen, dangh- ter of John Hughes ( Bryn Menci), in January, 1861. In June,
-
236
THE WELSH IN MINNESOTA.
1862, he removed to Blue Earth county and located on a tract of land in Butternut Valley, where he still resides and which he has improved to a very valuable farm. In the Sioux war of 1862 he was one of the New Ulm defenders. He and his wife are worthy members of Jerusalem C. M. church. Their children are: Jane, Lizzie, Katie. Arthur, Harriet and Mable. JONES, REV. WM. MACHNO .- Born at Tyddyn Bach, Blaen-y-Cwm, Penmachno, Anglesea, in 1845. Son of Owen and Catherine Jones, who gave their son a very careful moral training. At the age of 12 years he was led by his friend, Joe Bach, Blaen-y-Cwm, (now Rev. Joseph Roberts of New York city) to join Rhyd-y-Meirch C. M. church. He was shepherd to his father's sheep in his boyhoods days. Attended school for a very short time at Rhyd-y-Meirch church and at the parish school. Began preaching in the latter part of 1862. Soon after this he went to Clynog school under the famous teacher and poet "Eben Fardd," and his successor "Dewi Arfon." After finishing his course at this school Mr. Jones taught for two years at Rhyd-ddu at foot of Snowdon. Here, also, he married on December 3, 1868, Miss Alice Williams. He was ordained at the same time as Rev. Thos. E. Hughes at Cambria, Wis., in 1870. In March, 1871, he came to Bitte Earth county to take pastoral charge of Salem and Jerusalem C. M. churches, where he continued to labor with great ac- ceptance until December, 1891, except the years 1876 to 1880, when he ministered to the churches of Ixonia and Watertown, Wis. From December, 1891, to April, 1895, he had charge of the church at Picatonica, Wis. He has now retired to his beautiful farm near Lake Crystal to enjoy a short vacation. Mr. Jones is an able and effective preacher and pastor and is in the noon day of his strength. He is also possessed of an excellent Christian spirit. His children are: Owen, Richard, Katie, Allie and Joseph.
JONES, HON. WM. P .- Born on a farm named Cefn, at Llanwrthwl, Breconshire, Wales, July 15, 1828. Son of Wil- liam and Margaret Jones. His father was originally from Merionethshire, while his mother was a native of Breconshire. Soon after the subject of this sketch was born his parents moved to Troedrhiwdrain, Radnorshire, where they resided eight years and removed to Cwinystwyth. Cardiganshire. Leaving the dear though humble parental roof young Jones first sought his fortune in the coal mines of Tredegar, Monmouthshire. In the spring of 1849 he emigrated to
.
237
THE WELSHI IN MINNESOTA.
America, settling first at Utica, N. Y., whence in the spring of 1852 he removed to Jackson county, Ohio. Here he assisted in building the first railway through the county from Ports- mouth, having charge of the blasting in the deep rocky cuts. He afterwards helped to establish the Jefferson Iron furnace and was one of the original stockholders. July 3, 1852, he Married Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Usulla Wal- ters, then of Jackson county, O., but afterwards of Cambria, Minn. In May, 1856, Mr. Jones moved with his family to Blue Earth county, Minn., arriving there about the last of May. Early in June of the same year he located on the farm still owned by him in Cambria, Minn. In 1892, he retired from his farm to Lake Crystal where he owns a comfortable home. By dint of industry, economy and wise management he and his good wife have gone through all the visisitudes of pioneer life, have raised a large family of children, each and all of whom are useful and honored members of the commun- ities wherein they dwell. But while caring so well for his personal affairs Mr. Jones did not neglect the affairs of church and state, but took a most active interest in both. One of the founders of Horeb church, in Cambria, Minn., and during his residence there, one of its principal pillars, he was faithful as an elder, leader of song, and member. He has also taken an active part in political matters and during his resi- dence in Cambria held a number of town offices, and in 1876 was elected to the State Legislature.
JONES, HON. WM. R .- Born April 10, 1827, at Aberfraw. Anglesea, Wales, where he resided on a farm until 15 years old. He was then apprenticed as a carpenter to one John Owens of Aberffraw. Having completed his apprenticeship he followed the carpenter's trade in his native town for some years. Hle then removed to Caergybi and thence to Liver- pool. In May, 1853, he married Miss Jane Williams, daugh- ter of Thos. Williams, of Caernant, Llanfaclog, Anglesea, Rev, Henry Rees performing the ceremony at Mulberry street church, Liverpool. In May, 1854, he emigrated to the United States and made his home for a short time in Brooklyn, N. Y. Thence he moved to Milwaukee, Wis., where he resided three years. In the spring of 1857 he came to Rochester, Minn., where he tarried a few months in the employ of the state central committee in translating the proposed state con- stitution into Welsh. He then came to Judson, Minn., and built him a home in the village where he remained working
238
THE WELSH IN MINNESOTA.
at his trade for one year. He then abandoned the carpenter's bench and bought his present farm in the vicinity of Jerusa- lem church, Judson, where he still resides. He is a man of good judgment, strict integrity and an energetic worker in every good cause. He has always taken an active part in the religious work of the community and in 1862 was licensed to preach by the C. M. churches, to which he ministered for a few years. He is a member of the Jerusalem church. Has held various town offices and in 1886 was elected to the Leg- islature. His wife died October 2, 1894. Their children are Caradog, Ann, Miriam, Columbus, Lizzie and Ilugh R.
JONES, V. D .- City Passenger and Ticket agent of the Great Northern R'y, was born in Bangor, Wis., October 7, 1861. Entering the employment of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minnea- polis & Omaha at the age of 17, as a clerk in the freight de- partment, he soon after was promoted to ticket clerk, then to position of chief clerk in the Claim department at St. Paul, and later was given the position of assistant City Ticket agent at Minneapolis. In 1888 he resigned his position in the employ of that railroad to accept the appointment of City Passenger and Ticket agent at Minneapolis for the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba R'y, (now the Great Northern R'y) which he has since filled so acceptably that he enjoys the re- putation of being the most popular ticket agent in the Twin Cities. His marked ability and unquestioned integrity as a business man and the deserved popularity he has won predict for him a bright future.
JOSEPH, REV. EDWARD. Born at Pant Elwyd in Ffes- tiniog, Merionethshire, Wales, December 6, 1854. Ilis par- ents removed when he was a child to Tanygrisiau, and in the church at this place he received his first religious impressions. When he was 12 years old the family removed again to a house they had built at Four Crosses. Here at the age of 13 years Mr. Joseph was received into full membership of the "Tabernacle" C. M. Church under the pastorate of Rev. Owen Jones, A. B., and at once took active part in the lit- erary society and reading class, which were led by the pastor. Owing to financial circumstances he was obliged to work in the quarries after he was 12 years old and hence had very few educational advantages other than what he obtained from the societies above mentioned and the Sabbath school. He, how- ever, made good use of these and was naturally quick to learn and studious. In April, 1878, he was urged by the unanimous
-
239
THE WELSH IN MINNESOTA.
vote of his church, then the largest in Festeiniog, to prepare for the ministry. Encouraged thus he ventured, with what little money he had saved, to acquire an education. At first he went to the grammar school at Clynog under Rev. John Evans, A. B., then to Salop school at Croesoswallt under Mr. John Evans, M. A., and from there to Bala college in 1881. Ill health prevented him from fully completing his course here. In hope that a change of climate would benefit his health he accepted a call to the C. M. church of Milwaukee, Wis., and began pastoral work there in July, 1886. In June, 1887, he accepted a call to the C. M. churches of "Jerusalem" and "Bethesda" in Waukesha county, Wis., where he was ordained to the full work of the ministry. He soon removed from there to Williamsburgh, la., and thence to Lime Springs, Ia., in November, 1891, where he has a large field in the three important churches of Lime Springs, Foreston and Bristol Grove. He is a wide reader, sound thinker and faithful pas- tor. He is, also, a good musician and is industrious in train- ing the young people in the service of song.
LEWIS, GRIFFITH J .- Born March, 1837, at Llanwrin, Montgomeryshire, Wales, and in 1854 emigrated to the United States. After a few months stay at Ixonia, Wis., he moved to South Bend, Minn., in June, 1855. November 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company 1. Fifth lowa Cavalry, and took part in the battles of Ft. Donaldson, Savanah, Pittsburgh, Corinth, etc. January 1, 1864, he re-enlisted in Company B, of Brack- etts Battalion, and took part in the Indian campaigns of 1864 5, under Gen. Sully. January 9, 1873, he married Miss Jane Robberts. In 1892 they retired from their farm in Jud- son to Mankato. They are very highly esteemed by a large acquaintance.
LEWIS, LEWIS D. Born near Drefas, Cardiganshire, Wales, in 1819. Emigrated to the United States in 1837 and settled in Portage county, Ohio, where he married Miss Jane, daughter of David and Mary Davis, who also were natives of Cardiganshire. After about a year's stay in Portage county he removed to Pittsburgh, Pa. There he was made an older of the C. M. church, of which he was an efficient member. There, also, in 1854 he lost his wife. In the spring of 1855 he left Pittsburgh for LaCrosse, Wis., where he spent two years and then, in the spring of 1857, came to Blue Earth county, Minn., locating on a claim in the present town of Cambria. There, November 25, 1857, he married Miss Eliza-
240
THE WELSH IN MINNESOTA.
beth, daughter of Richard Morgan, then of that town. Dur- ing the Sioux massacre of 1862, he was shot through the hand by the Indians on the morning of September 10, and the use of that member totally destroyed, fsee account of Sioux war in this volume ). Being thus disabled from performing manual labor he removed from his farm to South Bend in the fall of 1862 and soon thereafter located at LeHuellier, midway be- tween South Bend and Mankato From 1865 to 1867 he car- ried the mails between Mankato and New Ulm, and in those pre-railway days Mr. Lewis and his stage were a familiar sight as they passed daily back and forth through the Welsh settlements. In the summer of 1876 he moved to Tracy, Minn., where he died in June, 1882. He always took an active part in all political and religious affairs and frequently held some office in the town and church. He had a genial disposition, and was kind and ever ready to do any one a favor. LEWIS, LEWIS, JR .- Son of Lewis D. and Jane Lewis, was born at Pittsburg, Pa., in 1548. Came with his father to LaCrosse, Wis., and thence to Blue Earth county, Minn., where in August, 1862. he enlisted in Company E. Ninth Minnesota, and served with his company until taken prisoner at the battle of Guntown, Miss. He died at Ander- sonville prison March 26, 1865. He was a brave and faithful soldier and, like his father. was of a genial and friendly disposition and much esteemed by all his acquaintance.
LEWIS, LEWES J. - Born at Llanwrin, Montgomeryshire, Wales, about 1833. When six years old he lost his father and as soon as strong enough hired out to farmers and supported himself and his widowed mother, whom he devotedly loved until her death. At the age of 19 he emigrated to America and located at Remsen, N. Y., where he learned the carpen- ter's trade with Win. M. Williams, late of Cambria, Minn. About 1861 he moved to Utica, N. Y., where he was employed in the New York Central railway car shops and attended an evening school, where he learned draughting. In 1865 he moved to Oshkosh, Wis., and built him a good residence, which he sold within a year at a large profit and in 1865 came to Mankato, where he became extensively engaged as a con- tractor and builder. His last contract was the building of the Mankato State Normal School, which he had about com- pleted when on the evening of July 30, 1870, he was accidently burned to death, while caring for his horses in his barn and . shop on Front street, Mankato. He was a very capable, eper-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.