Biographical Sketch of

Chester Jones

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 750 - 751


The farming community of Jackson township for many years numbered among its most esteemed members the gentleman 
whose name introduces this review.  He now lives in practical retirement in the city of Kilbourne.

Mr. Jones was born in Rockingham, Windham county, Vermont, March 21, 1823.  His parents were Asa K. and Mercy 
(Streeter) Jones, mention of whom will be found in the biography of Norman Jones.  Chester Jones came to Wisconsin 
in the fall of 1848.  After two years spent in Rock county, he located in Jackson township, in Adams county.  He 
established a squatter's claim to a tract of land in 1849.  At this time his nearest neighbor was seven miles 
distant, and in 1852, the land having been surveyed in the meantime, he purchased it from the government at the 
United States land office at Mineral Point.  He built a log cabin on his claim, and with the oxen that had brought 
his movables from Rock county he made a trip to Stevens Point for lumber for roof and floor.  On this trip he 
traveled all day until ten p. m. before seeing a house.  For several years he marketed his produce at Grand Rapids, 
forty-five miles distant, drew his grain to Oxford to be ground, and thence to Grand Rapids, the round trip requiring 
five days.  During nearly forty years' residence in Adams county he has witnessed wonderful development, and the 
improvements on his farm have kept pace with modern ideas.  He is now the owner of two hundred and thirty acres 
of land, the value of which is enhanced by the addition of many improvements and conveniences, including first-class 
residence and farm buildings.  Three years of this period were spent in Portage, Wisconsin, and since 1891 he has 
lived in retirement in Kilbourn.

Mr. Jones was married May 11, 1848, to Olive E. Williams, daughter of Josiah and Olive (Wakefield) Williams.  Mrs. 
Jones was born in Groton, Massachusetts.  She died June 25, 1851, aged twenty-two years.  She was the mother of 
two sons:  Norman M., a prominent merchant and postmaster of Friendship, Wisconsin;  and Homer, who died at the 
age of thirteen years.  In 1853 our subject married Mary E. Spaulding, the daughter of Abram and Elizabeth (Gibson) 
Spaulding, of Pelham, New Hampshire.  She died in 1884, aged fifty-five years, leaving one daughter, Cora E., now 
Mrs. Osborne, who lives on the homestead farm in Jackson township.  Mr. Jones was married September 3, 1891, to Mrs. 
Louise Seaman, widow of Andrew Seaman, and daughter of Charles and Abiah (Botsford) Clark.  Mrs. Jones was born in 
Weedsport, Cayuga county, New York.  Her childhood days were mostly spent in Connecticut, and she came to Wisconsin 
with her parents in 1855.  They located at Packwaukee, in Marquette county.  Her father died in Sharon, Connecticut, 
and the mother died at Packwaukee.  Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the Presbyterian church at Kilbourn, of which 
he has also been a trustee.  Mr. Jones takes an active interest in public affairs, and is an adherent to the principles 
of the Republican party, and has given support to its candidates since the formation of the party.


Transcribed by Robert Schieber






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