Lyman Jones
Lyman Jones, who represents one of the old pioneer families of Ohio, is one of the practical, well-to-do farmers of Pickaway Township, his farm, the old homestead formerly belonging to his father, being among the best managed and most productive in this section of the county of Pickaway. Mr. Jones is a native of this county, born in Salt Creek Township, near the Ross County line, January 28, 1841. His father, the late Abel Jones, who was widely known and honored as one of our best citizens during his residence here, was born in Ross County, October 31, 1810, a son of Aaron Jones, a Virginian, who came to Ohio about the beginning of the century, and was one of the first settlers of Ross County, where he carried on his occupation as a farmer until his demise. He had three sons, one of whom is living, and six daughters, all of whom are dead.
The father of our subject was reared under pioneer influences to stalwart, sturdy, self-reliant manhood, and in due time began his independent career as a farmer, in which he met with more than ordinary success, as he was a cool calculator, was shrewd and sagacious in money matters, and was thrifty and energetic in carrying on his work. He purchased a farm in Salt Creek Township shortly after his marriage, having earned his first money by teaching school for some terms, he being very well educated. In early life he dealt extensively in stock, feeding a bunch of cattle every winter, for which he always found a good market. In the course of years, he became one of the wealthy men of the county, accumulating a valuable property, including some sixteen hundred acres of land in Salt Creek and Pickaway Townships, and in Ross County, six hundred acres lying in that county.
Mr. Jones continued to live on his farm in Salt Creek Township until 1864, when he removed to Pickaway Township, where he had purchased land, and here his long and well-spent life was brought to a close by his death January 5, 1892. He left behind him a golden record of one who had lived uprightly, had been straightforward and conscientious in his dealings, was exemplary in all his acts, and was well worthy of the trust and respect in which he was held by the entire community who knew him so well. He was eminently a self-made man, beginning life with no other capital than a sound,well-trained mind, and good physical powers, and his course might well be followed by the young men to-day, who are just entering upon their careers. Mr. Jones was much indebted for his success to the faithful and efficient help that he received from his good wife, who was his counselor and companion for many years, until her death in 1887. Her maiden name was Catherine Dresbach and she was a daughter of Martin Dresbach. Her parents came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in an early day and were among the first settlers of Ross County, where she was born October 3, 1815.
Lyman Jones is the eldest of nine children, of whom eight are living. He was educated in the district school, and he early became familiar with all kinds of farm work. He always remained with his father, affording him valuable assistance in the management of his extensive interests, and at the same time gaining that clear insight into business matters that has been the keynote of his own success. He is the executor of his fathers estate, a position for which he is well qualified on account of his accurate knowledge of his father's affairs, his excellent administrative ability, and because he will settle everything with perfect fairness and with good judgment.
Our subject has a fine farm of two hundred acres that he inherited from his father, who bequeathed it to him in his will. He and his sister are living together on the old homstead, and have here a very pleasant home, comfortable and cozy in the extreme. Mr. Jones is a sound Republican in politics, and is in every way a good citizen of his native county, with whose interests his own are so closely connected.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]