Wm. H. (Bill) Jones
(Compiled from Idaho Enterprise files)
William H. (Bill) Jones, who died March 12, 1931, took a very important part in the early development of Malad Valley and the politics of southeastern Idaho. Largely due to his initiative, the first irrigation projects of the valley were developed.
Born at Maesygare, Flanhyther Parish, South Wales, Mr. Jones came to America with his parents when seven years of age, traveling in a sailing vessel to New Orleans and then up the Mississippi by steamboat to St. Louis where his father purchased an outfit to transport the family across the 'plains,' arriving in Salt Lake City in 1861.
Following ten years' residence in Salt Lake City, the Jones family started for Williamette valley in Oregon, and set out by ox team across the Nevada desert via Carson City and Reno, stopping enroute at Tehama, in Sacramento valley in California. While there his father died and W. H. Jones, then 18, took on the responsibilities of the family. Following the death of his mother in 1861, he took his two younger brothers and his sister, and started back to Utah, arriving in Brigham City under escort of Gen. Conner's command.
In the spring of 1863, Mr. Jones joined the gold rush to Alder Gulch, Montana, where, after staking a claim, he contracted mountain fever and found when he recovered that his claim had been 'jumped.'
In 1865 he came to Malad valley with his two younger brothers and his sister, and took up land four miles west of Malad, and engaged in cattle raising and farming. From the time he located in Malad until the Utah-Northern railroad was built, he was engaged largely in the operating of freight teams from Corinne, Utah to Montana.
October 31, 1871 he was united in marriage at Malad to Mary Jane Daniels, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Daniels, one of the prominent pioneer families of the valley. Mrs. Jones died Oct. 26, 1915.
For 65 years Mr. Jones was prominently identified with the affairs of southeastern Idaho. He served as deputy United States marshall for the territory of Idaho, having his office at Malad which was then the largest town in southeastern Idaho. He served several terms as treasurer of Oneida county and also as sheriff.
At the time of his death, he was survived by one brother, Jedd, five sons, Hugh W., Eli B., Thomas D., Oscar D., and Ralph H; 3 daughters, Mrs. James Kerns, Mrs. F. M. Ray, Mrs. Joe Thometz.
