California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 DAVID L. JONES. The substantial, capable and progressive citizens of San Joaquin county have no better representative than David L. Jones, who occupies a noteworthy position among the enterprising, practical and business-like farmers, who are so ably conducting the agricultural in- terests of this part of the state. A son of the late John W. Jones, he was born on his father's farm, in that part of the valley now called Escalon, January 13, 1867. His grandfather, Electus Jones, was of Welsh ancestry. He was public-spirited and patriotic, and after serving as a soldier in the Revolution settled as a planter in North Carolina. Born on the parental plantation in North Carolina, John W. Jones was there bred to agricul- tural pursuits. In the earlier part of his career he took up land in Missouri, and having cleared a farm remained there until 1852. Joining an ox-team train in that year, he made an overland trip to California, being six months in crossing the plains. Recognizing the fact that the many miners flocking here from all parts of the Union must be fed, he wisely decided that more money could be made by tilling the soil than in digging for gold. Locating accordingly on the Stanis- laus river, he raised a good crop of grain the first season, dragging in the seed with a brush. The crop which he harvested he readily sold to the men traveling to the southern mines, receiving five cents a pound for the grain. Removing to the present site of Escalon in 1853, he erected a good dwelling-house, and began his career as a grain raiser in earnest, having at first a small ranch. At the end of each harvesting season, with the money that he received for his wheat, he purchased more land, until his home farm contained one thousand acres. In addition to this, he bought land in Stanislaus and Tulare counties, becoming one of the most extensive landholders in the state, at one time having a clear title to thirty-seven thousand acres. He made two re- turn trips to the east, and on each occasion brought back with him large herds of cattle to stock his ranches. He made a specialty of raising sheep, being thus actively engaged when wool was selling at high prices, and. made a good deal of money in his operations. He was a man of marked ability and integrity, and stood very high in the community. He died in Escalon, in the brick residence that he occupied, September 10, 1893, aged seventy-two years. He was keenly interested in the welfare of his adopted town and county, and was a stanch adherent of the Re- publican party. John W. Jones was twice married. His first wife, who died while crossing the plains, in 1852, bore him six children, of whom but one is living, namely : Mrs. Edna M. Bledsoe, of Modesto. His second marriage was with Catherine M. Dunlap, who was born in Springfield, Ill., which was also the place of birth of her father. John W. Dunlap, a pioneer stockman and farmer of Knights Ferry, this state. She died on the home farm, in Escalon, September 25, 1880, at the age of forty-eight years. Of the eight children born (if this union, three are living, namely: David L., the special subject of this sketch ; Alice D., residing with her brother David ; and James W., living on the old home farm. After leaving the district schools. David L. Jones completed his early education at the Lytton Springs College, in Sonoma county. Choosing as his life-work the independent vocation to which he was reared, he began farming for himself at the age of twenty-one years, assuming possession of the ranch which he now owns and occupies. It is well situated on the river road, about three miles from the village of Escalon, and contains one thousand acres of land, which he devotes, principally, to the raising of stock and grain. Mr. Jones has met with characteristic success as an agriculturist, and has added valuable improvements to his estate, having an orange grove and a good orchard, and, in 1890, having erected a large two-story residence. In Oakland Mr. Jones married Hattie L. King, a native of Wisconsin, and they have two chil- dren, namely : Herbert L. and Merrill E. Politically Mr. Jones is a stanch Republican, and fraternally he is an Odd Fellow.