William M. Jones Collection

Collection

Identifier: SC 582

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a typed biography of William and Mary Jones that was written by their son, William Moore Jones; a piece of correspondence, and news clippings.

Dates

1953-1956.

Creator

Jones, William Moore, 1881-1967. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives

Biography

William Marcellus Jones was born in Caswell county, North Carolina on March 4, 1850 to James W. and Martha J. (Mims) Jones. While growing up in North Carolina, William tried to join the Confederate Army but his parents didn’t let him due to his age. He helped work on his father’s 200-acre tobacco plantation. He would move to Marion, Alabama where he worked on merchandising at a general store there. While in Alabama he met Mary Billingsly John and later married in 1876.

In 1879, he left his wife and daughter, Mary St. John, to come to Fargo, Dakota Territory for farm land. His wife and daughter would eventually join him North Dakota. While waiting for his claim, he worked as a bookkeep for the Fargo Republican. He also opened a confectionary store on east Front Street. His claim, four miles north of Lisbon, North Dakota came open and he would farm there as well as keeping his business in Fargo open (which he closed in 1883). After farming for a while, he discovered it wasn’t really for him, so in 1886 he stopped farming and bought half interest in a store in Buttzville, six miles northeast of Lisbon, North Dakota.

In 1896 William began dealing in real estate in Lisbon. He and his family would return to North Carolina for a time but they would return to North Dakota and William would be elected Auditor of Ransom county. William would hold several other positions in businesses and would spend winters in North Carolina.

William and Mary had at least five children. William died June 25, 1920 in Lisbon, North Dakota.

Extent

3 Items (3 items.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

This collection contains a typed biography of William and Mary Jones that was written by their son, William Moore Jones; a piece of correspondence, and news clippings.