| John Llewellyn Jones was born in Bedford, England in 1867. He
was the son of an Episcopal Bishop who died at the age of 42. John
L. received his formal education in the Commercial School for boys in Bedford.
He immigrated to the United States in 1884 at the age of 17. He was preceded
by two brothers, Tom Jones, who lived in Waxahachie and Wescomb H. W. Jones
who lived in Gatesville and Waco, both now deceased. Before coming
to the United States, John L. finished college. He spoke French and
German, as well as English. Jones was sponsored by Dr. Lee, an Episcopal
Rector of the church in Austin. He spent several years in Austin
at various jobs in the temporary state capitol, used while the present
capitol was being built. He met L. L. Foster, who later became speaker
of the House of Representatives. Mr. Foster began operation of the
Times Herald in Dallas and employed Jones as a reporter and proofreader.
The paper supported L. S. Ross in the gubernatorial campaign, which he
won. Governor Ross made Jones state librarian and later he was appointed
state chemist of Texas. As chemist, he was with the first geological
survey made in the state. He was also active in J. Stephen Hogg’s
campaign as a speechwriter and analyst. Jones admired Governor Hogg
and considered him one of the greatest men of Texas. Realizing the
need for doctors in Texas, Jones decided to go to the University of Virginia
Medical School in 1894. After receiving his diploma, as a doctor,
he started his practice in Groesbeck. Some time later he moved to
Gatesville, where he was appointed physician for the State Reformatory
for boys. He was also physician for the Cotton Belt Railroad.
Dr. Jones married Mary Irene (Smith) Partridge in Gatesville in 1898,
born in Tennessee in 1870 and moved to Texas while a child. Irene
had seven brothers and six sisters. Her father, D. G. Smith, mother,
Almira, several brothers and sisters, also her Grandfather Smith and Uncle
Rufus Smith M.D., are buried in the Smith-King Cemetery; located on the
Smith estate near Flat, Texas. Irene was the widow of Frank Partridge,
county attorney of Coryell County. They had four children:
(1) Floyd J. Partridge, born in 1886 - died in 1953, married
Minnie Lee Eury, June 7, 1886 - December 19, 1974, both buried at Talpa.
They had one son, Frank J., July 18, 1913 at Talpa - November 15, 1982,
married Bernice Stubbs, May 4, 1910 - April 7, 1983, both buried Talpa,
the daughter of L. B. and Hazel (Reese) Stubbs of Ballinger. One
child, Jackie, born in 1932 at Talpa, married J. B. Parker, Jr., the son
of John B. Sr. and Vivian (Sharpton) Parker of Talpa. Four sons:
Kevin, Kip, Tony Kim and Michael Kelley. They live in Houston (see
Parker - Hipp and Hipp families).
(2) Claude M. Partridge (born in 1888) married Clara Moore from Merkel,
both deceased and buried in Laurel Land Cemetery in Fort Worth.
(3) Murphey Partridge (born in 1890) died as an infant, buried in Gatesville
Cemetery.
(4) Frances “Frankie” Partridge (born in 1892) married L. Ruby Bradford.
They had six children: (4a) Mary Irene, October 31, 1916, married James
Irvin Brown (see Jas. M. Brown), (4b) Ted, (4c) Virginia, (4d) Carl,
(4e) Fern E. (Wilson) in September 1925, and (4f) Billy. They lived
in Santa Anna and Talpa many years. Ruby, Virginia and Billy are buried
at Gatesville; Carl is buried in San Angelo. Frankie now resides
in Elm Mott with Fern.
Dr. and Mrs. Jones and their family moved to Talpa in 1904 where he practiced
medicine until his death in 1940; Mary Irene Jones in 1955, both buried
in Talpa. They had four children:
(1) Mary Almira Jones (born in 1900 in Gatesville) died four
months later.
(2) Trevor Lee Jones, born in 1903 - died in 1908, buried in Talpa.
(3) John L. Jr. “Jack” Jones (born in 1905) married Maudie J. West on
December 26, 1929 (see John L. [Jack] Jones). Jack L. Jr. helped
organize and was a charter member of the Wink Masonic Lodge #1302 in 1938.
He was awarded his fifty year Masonic pin by the Mitchell Masonic Lodge
#563 in March 1983. In 1979, Jack and Maudie celebrated their 50th
wedding anniversary while in Mexico City. They have toured Mexico,
Canada and the 48 original states.
(4) Fred E. Jones, born in 1909, died in 1945 while serving in the Army
during World War II, buried at Talpa.
(Images to be added)
Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Jones
|
