OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

237

the fifty-fourth year of her age, and is a daughter of Jesse Berkebile, who was of German descent, and died in his native county of Somerset in 1867, when in the sixty-eighth year of his age. THOMAS L. JONES, of near Ebensburg, a self-made man and successful farmer, was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, in 1833. When but a mere child he had the misfortune to lose his parents, and hence has but little knowledge of his family beyond the fact that they were industrious and hard-working people, whose home had been for many centuries in Wales, where the name of Jones has always had honorable mention. At the death of his parents he was adopted by Lewis Williams, and in 1840 brought to near Carrolltown, this county, where Mr. Williams died in the succeeding year. This second loss by death of a protector resulted in his being bound out, or apprenticed to Evan H. Roberts, of near Ebensburg, with whom he remained until he was eighteen years of age. He then commenced the battle of life for himself with nothing but strong hands and a determination to succeed. He accepted any kind of work that came to his hands until he had enough of hard-earned savings to invest in a team. He then, in 1857, married and rented a farm, which he tilled up to August 31, 1864, when he enlisted in company C, Two Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania infantry. He saw service off the coast of the Bermuda Islands, and then was transferred to the Ninth corps of the Army of the Potomac, where he was a teamster until Lee's surrender. Some time after this he was sent north, and received an honorable discharge at Harrisburg, in June, 1865. Returning from the army he drove a team for Hon. A. A. Barker for

nearly twenty years, and, in 1887, rented a farm from Mr. Barker, which one year later he and his son, William G., purchased, and upon which he has resided ever since. This farm, a little distance southwest of Ebensburg, is well improved, and contained, at the time of purchase, ninety acres from which fourteen acres have since been sold. Mr. Jones is a general farmer, and has been successful in every line of his business, from grazing to raising cereals.     On December 31, 1857, Mr. Jones married Martha Williams, daughter of William G. Williams, one of the early Welsh settlers of this community, of near Ebensburg. To their union have been born nine children: Chalmers C., now book-keeper for the firm of J. T. & W. Griffith, of McKean county; Lizzie, wife of Hershel James, of McKean county; Dr. F. C., of Ebensburg; William G., a farmer; Annie M., now engaged in teaching; Prof. Herman T., superintendent of Ebensburg public schools; Leonard S., a student at the Millersville (Pennsylvania) State Normal school, and Frederick and Ruth (twins), of which the latter is dead.     Thomas L. Jones is but another instance of what can be achieved by self-effort on the part of those having ability, and that greater blessing, a strong will-power. Surrounded by adverse circumstances, and apparently on the lowest round of the ladder, by patience, perseverance, hard work and improving every opportunity, he has won honorable position and a competency for himself. He has been a member of the First Congregational church of Ebensburg since 1847, and for the last eighteen years has served as a deacon. He is a Past Grand of Highland Lodge, No. 428, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Ebensburg, and enjoys the proud distinction of

Title Page

Contents

Image

Index