BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS OF MALAD VALLEY
James E. Jones
(By Margaret P. Metcalf)
William Jones was born in 1798 in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. He became an Elder and
President over a branch of the L.D.S. Church in Wales. He was a soldier in the English army for
21 years. Then he married Eleanor Evans of Clansual (Llansawel), South Wales, in 1838 and
came to Utah in 1866 and died in Malad City in 1873. Miss Evans was a daughter of John Evans
of Clan.(Glamorganshire), South Wales. She was born in 1829. Seven children were born to this
couple in their native land--Wales. They were: James, David, William, Mary, John, Daniel, and
Eleanor.James E. Jones was born on December 25, 1842, in Llwyncelyn, Wales. He and his brother,
David, came to Utah on October 4th, 1864 with W.S. Warren Co. David died in Salt Lake City in
two weeks after his arrival. He had contracted pneumonia from exposure on the plains. James E.
did not see his brother's body before the burial as communication wasn't so good in those days.
James lived in Brigham City the first winter after his arrival with John Williams, the blacksmith
who was married to his cousin, Mary Williams, afterwards of Malad. James E. Jones came to
Malad in 1864 and on July 20th, 1866 he married Annie J. Williams, daughter of Thomas and
Anne Jones Williams of Glamorganshire, South Wales. They came to America on the same ship
as James E. Jones. Miss Williams was born July 15, 1849. She died December 31, 1916 at the
age of 67 years. From this union there were born eleven children: William, David, Annie,
Eleanor, Margaret Elizabeth, James, Mary Jane, John, Daizy, Thomas and Gwenferd.
James E. Jones was a successful farmer by trade although he was engaged in many other business
enterprises. When he and his brother came from Wales, they enlisted in the English army, but
their father did not approve of their becoming soldiers and thought they would have better
opportunities elsewhere. So they came to America.
James E. Jones took an active part in the building of Malad. His greatest joy was in seeing
Malad grow.
Thomas Daniels and he owned one of Malad's first saw-mills on what is known as Spring Creek.
He took large contracts in the Marsh Valley country to put up hay for the government for those
were the coach days and oxen were their main power.
He also handled large railroad contracts. His last contract was not so successful for his horses
and oxen died. However, he did not become discouraged for as he often said, "It is a long road
that has no turn."
He was also in the butcher business.
James E. Jones was a straight-froward business man and honest to the extreme and believed
firmly in the saying, "Honesty is the best policy." He served for a time as Justice of the Peace.
He officiated at the marriage of Willie Evans and his wife, which took place at his home.
Before the court house was built, it was necessary to hold a trial at his home. The boy was fined
for the offense. Upon assurance of good conduct in the future, Mr. Jones gave the boy money to
the amount of that which he was fined from his own pocket.
He was county commissioner twice. He and L. L. Evans took quite an active part in getting the
railroad to Malad. They spent two weeks in bargaining with the people for their land and also to
get money form the rest of the valley to pay for the land. One of the Jordan homes was moved
and rebuilt. He gave the railroad his land, which came under the track. At that time he owned
640 acres of land. Afterwards he bought the Ireland home of 200 acres.
James E. Jones died Dec. 10th, 1919 at the age of 76 years. At the time of his death he had 27
grand-children and one great-grand-child.
