JAMES H. JONES. James H. Jones, sheriff of Oregon County, Missouri, is worthy and well qualified in every respect for the responsible position he fills, and being a whole-souled, generous man, is deservedly popular with the public in general. One of the most gratifying features of government in the United States is the efficiency and integrity of those who are called upon to hold office. The subject of our sketch is one who reflects the greatest possible credit on those who supported him for the office of sheriff of Oregon County, for he fills that position with an earnestness of purpose, an attention to details and with a fidelity that stamps him one of the very best men holding the office of sheriff in this or any other State. Born in Franklin County, Ala., May 28, 1858, he is a son of Josiah J. and MaryJane (Bettenton) Jones, the father a native of Alabama and the mother of Tennessee. They were married in December, 1856, in the State of Alabama, and both are now living in Franklin County, that State, where the father is engaged in farming. They are both members of the Baptist Church. The father was a soldier in the Confederate Army from Alabama, and is now about sixty-two years of age.
James H. Jones was well educated in the schools of Franklin County, Ala., and when eighteen years of age he left home and went to the Lone Star State, where he wandered all over the State, and was engaged in teaching school and herding cattle. In December, 1880, he returned to Alabama, and in the same year he came to Missouri and located in Oregon County, where he worked in the circuit and county clerk’s office under Maj. Norman for three years. He was there married to Miss Rachel Greer, daughter of Capt. S. W. Greer. One son and two daughters were born to this union. Mr. Jones was elected assessor in 1884, held that office two terms, and then for two years followed agricultural pursuits. He was then elected to the office of sheriff of the county and held that position two terms. He is a Mason, a member of the lodge here, and in politics is a Democrat.