Obit: Jones, “Uncle” Warren Cornelius (1844 - 1921)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Jones, Campbell, Dunn, Thompson, Richards, Taylor, Sechler, Harding, Krohn

----Source: Badger State Banner (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 2/03/1921

Jones, “Uncle” Warren Cornelius (30 September 1844 - 28 January 1921)

He was an old settler - Last of Family of Nine - Celebrated Golden Wedding two years ago - a true Christian;

“Uncle Warren has passed away.” This news reached the ears of most every citizen last Friday afternoon, leaving many sad hearts when the news of the death of one of our most highly respected citizens, Warren C. Jones, was learned. His death also came as a great shock to his fellow citizens and friends as he had been ill for only a week. On Thursday, January 20, at about 3:30 o’clock in the afternoon while at his duties in the G. R. Sechler Co. store, he was taken ill with chills and was obliged to return to his home. At about six o’clock Dr. Krohn was called and pronounced pneumonia as having developed. Mr. Jones was given all the best care and attention possible but this proved of no avail; his time had come and he was called to a brighter land, where pain and suffering were unknown.

Warren Cornelius Jones was born in Brandon, Vt., September 30, 1844. He came to Black River Falls on April 23, 1866, following his brother Samuel, who had been here for ten years. Later three other brothers, Rufus C., Rollin B. and Louis C. came here; also two sisters, Mrs. C. C. Dunn and Mrs. W. J. Thompson came to this city. All of them are now dead. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Jones, never came west, but Mrs. Jones was here in the year 1876 for a visit. One brother and one sister remained in Vermont.

Warren C. was the last of the original settlers here, of this worthy family to depart this life. It is not often that a single family becomes so prominent and makes such a deep impression upon the life and destiny of a community as has the Jones family upon the city of Black River Falls. By their steady industry, intelligent bearing, loyalty, worthy motives and general uplifting endeavor they have figured quite largely in the success of our city.

On December 8, 1868, Mr. Jones was joined in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Campbell, who survives him with one daughter, Bessie, now Mrs. Harvey H. Richards. One son, May, died at the age of 3 years. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were married in the same home in which he passed away; their daughter Bessie was married in the same home, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones celebrated their golden wedding there on January 27, 1918. The celebration was not held on their wedding anniversary on account of the Spanish Influenza which was raging about the country at that time.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jones was during the year that the Tomah & ST. Croix railroad was built to this city, and when they went on their wedding trip they left in a caboose, but while away passenger service was installed and they returned in a regular passenger coach.

For nearly 55 years Mr. Jones has been a prominent factor in the industrial enterprise of this city and has had much to do with the general uplift and progress of the city. He has been very active in church work and prominent in general social affairs. Few have enjoyed more universal respect and esteem of the people. For many years Mr. Jones operated a grocery store, and though having retired from business for his self, he still engaged in the same line of industry and up to one week before his death was clerking in the G. R. Sechler store, which is a successor to the W. C. Jones grocery store.

Though a very busy man he has always found time to do much effective work for his church. For more than thirty years he has been superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school, and for 41 years it has been his hand that has spread the cloth for the quarterly communion service. Nothing too good can be said of Mr. Jones. In his business dealings he always did the fair thing, was courteous and obliging to everyone, treating rich and poor alike. He had a jovial disposition and was a great friend to both young and old. He was eminently successful as a business getter. He attracted trade as naturally as a duck takes to water. It denoted the confidence that people had in his integrity and his ability and desire to please and get the very best that could be had for his customers on the square deal plan. That he once failed in business was caused by his goodness of heart and his spirit of accommodation. In a social way he was ever active and considerate, helpful and gracious and as a Christian gentleman he was pre-eminent, living the precepts of a Christian life as few men can boast. His character was above reproach.

The funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by Rev. F. R. Harding. There were numerous people in attendance to pay their last respects to this highly esteemed citizen and friend. The Masons attended in a body, conducted service and escorted the remains to the cemetery. The floral tributes have seldom been as numerous at any funeral as they were at that of “Uncle Warren’s”. To show respect for their departed friend, all the business houses in the city were closed Monday afternoon until 4 o’clock. Rev. Harding delivered a beautiful sermon and spoke in glowing terms of the departed.

Six nephews, P. W., R. A., Alvin, Warren H., and D. W. Jones and F. M. Taylor acted as pallbearers and performed the said rite of conveying their deceased uncle to his last resting place.

Thus ends the careers of one of our noblest and worthiest citizens. One more of our pioneer settlers, has gone to his reward. May his soul rest in peace with God and may those who are left on this busy earth follow the example of this Christian man and when our time has come to flee from this earth may we be crowned with the same glory.

The sincerest sympathy of the whole community is extended to the bereaved widow and daughter and other relatives.