The history of my grandfather’s life is the early history of Southeastern Idaho.  He played a most important part in shaping the early policies of this commonwealth, and a record of his activities is a chronology of the progress of this section of Idaho.  He was a real leader in the early development of this valley.  Largely due to his initiative, the first irrigation projects were constructed here.  He saw with clear-sighted vision the possibilities of this valley and became one of the most important architects in shaping the destiny of this section of Idaho.  

My grandfather was born January 9, 1843, at Muesygase, Llanwenog, Cardigan, Wales.  He came to America with his parents when he was seven years of age, traveling in a sailing vessel to New Orleans and then up the Mississippi River by steam boat to St. Louis,  where his father purchased an outfit to transport his family across the plains, arriving in Salt Lake City in 1851. 

Following ten years residence there, the family started for the 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 grandfather, then seventeen years of age, took on the responsibilities of the family.  Grandfather’s mother died a month later in 1862.  He took his two younger brothers, Ben, seven years and Jedd, five an his only living sister Mary Ellen, three years old and started back to Utah arriving in Brigham City under the escort of General Conners command. 

In the spring of 1863 grandfather joined the gold rush to Alder Gulch, Montana, where after staking a rich 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, where he engaged in cattle raising and farming in which line of activity he made a remarkable success.  From the time he located in Malad until the Utah Northern Railroad was built, he was engaged largely in  operating of freight teams from Corrine, Utah. 

On Oct. 31, 1871, grandfather was married at Malad to Mary Jane Daniels, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Daniels, one of the prominent pioneer families of the valley.  Grandmother died Oct. 26, 1915. 

For sixty-five years grandfather 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 the county seat of Oneida, when this county included all of the territory in southeastern Idaho from Utah to the Montana state line.  During his career at Malad he served as county treasurer and as sheriff for many years. 

Grandfather died at his home in Malad on March 12, 1931, age 88.  The following comments published as an editorial in “The Enterprise” give an insight as to his character and philosophy: “His mind and inclinations were essentially aggressive – always  tolerant of the views of others – yet he formed his own opinions and possessed an originality that was most refreshing.  He expressed his opinions on all matters with candor and frankness.  He had a keen sense of humor and a genial satire enlivened his conversation.  He was an optimist and a constructionist always maintaining that the world was growing better, that opportunities were increasing and not diminishing.  He was courageous and absolutely loyal to his friends.” 

History of immigration 

Benjamin Jones and Rachel, his wife, and children, William Hugh 8, and Margaret Hetty, 3, sailed aboard the “Joseph Badger” on 17th October 1850.  They first moved from Llybather, Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, So. Wales to Swansea by coach.  From Swansea to Liverpool by sailing vessel named Troubadour.  They sailed Oct. 17, 1850 from Liverpool with John Morris, captain.  Arrived at New Orleans Nov. 22, 1850, then took steamer named El Passo to St. Louis.  They remained in St. Louis from Dec. 3, until April 1851. 

A Captain Has Gone West 

And another of Malad Valley’s stalwart pioneers has gone west and with the passing, a curtain of life rings down upon a truly typical “Man of the West”, a captain of “Covered Wagon Days.” 

William H. Jones who in life fought side by side with such leaders as D.L. Evans and Dan Daniels, in their mutual iron resolve to conquer this valley and consecrate it as a heritage to the coming generations now joins one of them in eternal rest, in the little cemetery over-looking the valley they had so learned to love. 

Clyde Hansen, a former newspaper editor here, pens the following tribute to the  

Deceased: 

His mind and inclinations were essentially aggressive – always tolerant of the views of others – yet he formed his own opinions and possessed an originality that was most refreshing.  He expressed his opinions on all matters with candor and frankness.  He had a keen sense of humor and a genial satire enlivened his conversation. 

Mr. Jones possessed to a remarkable degree those sturdy qualities of mind and heart which characterized the men and women who took possession of these vast, uncultivated land and made them fruitful.  The courage and fortitude with which they were required to be endowed to stand the test of those grueling days clung to Mr. Jones throughout his long, eventful and colorful life. 

Mr. Jones was an optimist and a constructionist always maintaining that the world was growing better, that opportunities were increasing and not diminishing.  He believed in  individual initiative as opposed to paternalistic legislation for the cure of all evils. 

An outstanding characteristic of Mr. Jones was his absolute loyalty to his friends, the community in which he lived, his country and his family. 

Deprived in youth of his parents, with two young brothers and a sister to care for, he fought his way through hindering environments, struggling in his early manhood against discouraging adversities, but with supreme faith and a determination which could not be swerved from its course, he saw the fulfillment of his fondest hopes in a prosperous vocation, a happy, ideal family, a host of genuine friends and an untarnished, honored name.