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 LDS Church in Wales. He was a soldier in the English army for 21 years. Then he married Eleanor Evans/Eleanor James of Llansawel, Carmarthenshire, Wales in 1838 or 1839. She came to Utah in 1866 and died in Malad City in 1873. Eleanor was a daughter of John Evans of Llansawel, 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 Lwynkelyn, Wales. He and his brother, David, came to Utah on October 4, 1864 with W.S. Warren Co. David died in Salt Lake City 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 20, 1866 he married Annie J. Williams, daughter of Thomas and Anne Jones Williams of Glamorganshire, South Wales. Thomas and Anne had come to America on the same ship as James E. Jones. Annie J. 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. While he and his brother were in Wales, they enlisted in the English army, but their father did not approve of them 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. 

James E. Jones and Thomas Daniels owned one of Malad’s first sawmills on what is now 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 because 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 rather successful in the sheep and cattle business as well as the butcher business. 

James E. Jones was a straightforward business man, honest to the extreme and believed firmly in the saying, “Honesty is the best policy.” He was of a very congenial disposition. He served for a time as Justice of the Peace. He officiated at the marriage of Willie Evans and his wife which took place in James’ home. 

Before the court house was built, it was necessary to hold 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 bargaining with the people for their land and also to get money from the rest of the valley to pay for the land. One of the Jordon 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 homestead of 200 acres. 

James E. Jones died December 10, 1919 at the age of 76 years. At the time of his death, he had 27 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.