HENRY W. JONES, a prominent citizen of Union township, a son of Robert, whose father, William, was a farmer of Shropshire, England. He was the father of four children, namely: William, Thomas, John and Robert. Robert Jones was born near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire, England, and was apprenticed to a machinist when yet a boy. After serving his time he followed this trade, principally in Birmingham, England. He was married to Miss Vienna Harris, a resident of that place, and she bore him seven children, as follows: John, Robert, Henry W., George, Susan, Mary and Ann, of whom Henry W. and George are yet living. Henry W. Jones was born July 26, 1826, in Shrewsbury, England, where he was reared to manhood, and learned the machinist’s trade. He came to Allegheny county, Penn., in 1850, and was employed as a millwright and steam-engine builder till 1865, when he moved to Wood county, W. Va., locating near Parkersburgh. Here he followed lumbering and farming, also conducting a saw and planing mill on the place. In 1888 he came to Union township, Washington Co., Penn., and, erecting a large planing-mill, engaged in contracting and building. He succeeding in securing and excellent trade, and in the spring in 1892 gave the business to his sons. He was married in November 16, 1852, to Miss Catherine Croco, who was born June 15, 1831, a daughter of Henry Croco, of Allegheny county, Penn., and to this union have been born eight children: Vienna (deceased), Keffer, Frank C., Charles, Mary (deceased), Wesley, Elmer and Sydney. The six sons are all employed in the planing-mill, or contracting. The mother died April 10, 1888, since which time Mr. Jones has made his home with his son Frank C. In politics the father is a staunch Prohibitionist, and has held numerous township offices in West Virginia. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1892, accompanied by his son Charles, he visited his old home in England, but found his relatives all scattered. The old country no longer seemed home to him to him, for truly has the poet said: “Home is where the heart is;” and the affections and interests of Mr. Jones are now on the side of the Atlantic, although he will ever cherish a fond memory of dear old England.

Text taken from page 624 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Dawna Trainor of Baltimore, MD as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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