JAMES JONES, a well-known undertaker, living at St. Cloud, Somerset township, is the youngest son of Perry Jones, whose father, Abednago Jones, came to New York in an early day and worked at his trade, that of a tailor. He afterward moved to Washington county, there making a permanent home. Perry Jones was born in 1783, in New York, and when yet a boy learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed all his life. In early manhood he married Susanna MeCelvy, who bore him four sons and four daughters, of whom are yet living: William A. (a carpenter of Wayne county, Ohio), Isabel and James. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were members of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek. He died October 8, 1852, having been preceded by his wife February 9, 1848. James Jones (whose name opens this biography) was born September 28, 1825, in Somerset township, this county, and when but a small boy learned the trade of carpentry with his father. In 1860 he opened an undertaking establishment which he is yet conducting. On October 21, 1851, he was united in marriage with Rachel P. Craig, who was born September 22, 1824, in Allegheny county, daughter of John and Ann (Larimor) Craig; her father was born on the ocean while his parents were crossing from Ireland to America. Mr. and Mrs. Craig both died in this county. To the union of James and Rachel P. (Craig) Jones the following children were born: Sarah B., born October 12, 1852, died March 6, 1858; Austin H., born January 4, 1855, died April 3, 1856; Anna (wife of William Leyde, a farmer of Nottingham township, this county), born August 18, 1856; John P. (a farmer of Nottingham township), born August 17, 1858; William A. (a Presbyterian minister of Knoxville, Pittsburgh, Penn.), born November 27, 1860; Hanford M., carpenter, born October 20, 1862; James A. (a carpenter of Somerset township), born December 30, 1864; and Nannie A. (living at home), born February 3, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the old Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Church, in which he was ruling elder many years, also acting as first deacon, and he was superintendent of the Sabbath-school four years. On August 1, 1884, he was appointed postmaster at St. Cloud, which office he is now filling; he also served as director of the poor. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Prohibitionist.

Text taken from page 1239 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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