Representative Alvin Jones View All Years

ALVIN JONES.

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions commemorating the life and work of Hon. Alvin Jones, late of Poweshiek County, Iowa, beg leave to report the following memorial:

Hon. Alvin Jones, who represented Poweshiek County in the 24th and 25th General Assemblies, was born in Dorchester, Mass., May 14th, 1826, and died at Montezuma, Iowa, September 27th, 1917, aged 91 years, 4 months and 13 days. He was of sturdy New England stock and was trained in sobriety, industry and probity, and from these tenets he never deviated. In his early manhood he learned the trade of cabinet maker but soon gave up his calling and took up the open, independent life of a farmer.

On May 14, 1857, he was married to Isabelle Blanchard, at Peacham, Vermont. To this union seven children were born all of whom are residents of Poweshiek County, Iowa. At the first call for volunteers Mr. Jones enlisted on May 14th, 1861, in Co. G, Third Vermont Infantry, afterwards being transferred to Co. D of the same regiment. He served his country three years and participated in 27 engagements, among them the battles of Gaines Mill, Antietam, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House and Cold Harbor. He was mustered out of the service at Burlington, Vermont, July 27, 1864.

In 1867 Mr. Jones came with his family to Poweshiek County and settled on the wild, open prairie ten miles southeast of Grinnell, near the present town of Malcom. Here he improved a fine farm from the virgin soil and here he reared his family. While occuping this farm he was elected to the legislature in 1901 and reelected in 1903. After forty years spent upon the farm he moved to Montezuma, where he spent the remainder of his days.

Mr. Jones was a man of rugged character. He hated sham and deceit, respected law and order, and gave to his country, to his state and to his community the best elements of American manhood.

As a member of the General Assembly of Iowa he rendered faithful and efficient service. He was quiet and unassuming, but vigorous in upholding what he believed to be right and he was always ready to make response to the best traditions of public service.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That in the death of Alvin Jones the state has lost one of its sturdy pioneers who contributed his best endeavors in helping to lay the foundation of this great commonwealth; the county among whose people he lived and wrought so many years has lost a conspicuous exponent of the higher concepts of life and character, and his home community is bereft of a safe counselor and adviser.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be printed in the journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward to the family of the deceased an engrossed copy.

JOHN BRADLEY,

FRANK C. LAKE,

FRANK C. YOUNG.