California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
 
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 Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914


ELI VICTOR JONES.� The flourishing hamlet of Potter Valley, Men- 
docino county, whose productive and fertile fields have been the means of 
bringing prosperity to many an industrious farmer, has been the environment 
of Eli Victor Jones since October, 1872, when he came to the county and 
settled on what is now the home place, ever afterward making it his permanent 
home. With success in his farming enterprise developed a keen interest in 
public affairs and there is perhaps no more active worker for the welfare of the 
community and the betterment of conditions in the vicinity than is Mr. Jones. 
Chief among his accomplishments in this direction is the resumption of mail 
service to the valley. The stage line carrying route to that section was dis- 
continued for a time, but Mr. Jones immediately took steps to have it re- 
installed and with the aid of others sent a petition, signed by the people of 
the community, to Congressman Kent, who arranged that the stage continue 
to deliver mail to them. 

Mr. Jones is a native son of Healdsburg, Sonoma county, Cal., born 
February 6, 1835, the son of Wiley L. and Margaret (March) Jones, born 
in Robertson county, Tenn., March 2, 1814, and Logan county, Ky., April 8, 
1817, respectively. They crossed the plains with ox teams in 1853 and settled 
in Healdsburg, Sonoma county. The splendid schools of that section afforded 
Eli Victor his education and he attended until he was eighteen years old, at 
which time his parents removed to Potter Valley and he there attended school 
for a short time. Then for a number of years he engaged in farming with his 
father, their joint labors being cut short by the death of the latter, and the 
place was then divided among the heirs. Later Eli Jones purchased the prop- 
erty from the other heirs and engaged in farming for himself. Stock-raising, 
general farming, hay, grain and fruit culture constitute his chief interest, he 
having three acres planted to apples and prunes. The latter industry has 
proved especially remunerative, and for the last three years the prunes have 
represented $200 worth of fruit yearly. In 1912 Mr. Jones took twelve apples 
to the hop festival, which weighed in the aggregate fifteen pounds and were 
ihe largest and best apples at the celebration. To Mr. Jones's credit be it 
said that the farm is now nearly all under cultivation, in a highly productive 
condition, and its well-kept appearance attests to the skill of the owner and 
the untiring effort that has been put forth to acquire it. 

As a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Patrons of 
Husbandry Mr. Jones is active and popular, and as a stanch Democrat takes 
an interested citizen's part in all political questions. He has served as school 
trustee of his district for sixteen years, part of the time acting as clerk. For 
years he was secretary' of the Grange and is now master of the Grange in 
Potter Valley. In 1913 he was chosen delegate to the State Grange at San 
Jose and attended the convention with his wife, whose maiden name was 
Mary Elizabeth Bransford. Her birth occurred in Ray county. Mo., in 1857, 
and to her marriage with Mr. Jones, which took place October 22, 1876. three 
children have been born, Walter, Lena May and Roy. A willing helpmate, 
devoted mother and a kind and loving friend she has endeared herself to all 
with whom she is associated.