William B. Jones Sr.

WILLIAM B. JONES, SR., was born in Wales, June 4. 1848. He was the son of Joseph and Gwenny (Gwellem) Jones, and was one of twelve children, of whom two survive: Rachel, wife of John Watkins, Monmouthshire, Wales; and William B., of whom later. Joseph and Gwenny Jones (father and mother) were natives of Wales and spent their entire lives there. Joseph Jones was employed the greater part of his life as foreman in a mine.

William B. Jones came to America when eleven years of age with his brother, John Jones. They located in Oliphant, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where they were employed in the mines. William had worked the year previous in a mine in Wales as a trapper boy. After spending two years at Oliphant, working in the coal mines, William and his brother went to George's Creek, Maryland, where John went into the hotel business. William, however, continued to work in the mines for ten years, when he came to Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Here he continued mining for sixteen years, and was fire boss the last six years. In 1886 he accepted the same position in the coal mines at Port Royal, Pennsylvania, remaining for six years. He then went to Smithton and opened a hotel known for three years as the Smith House. Later he sold out and came to Suterville, where he opened the Harrison House. When his lease ran out, three years later, he purchased the Suter House, which was a modern brick hotel, and changed the name to the Hotel Jones. Mr. Jones was very successful in the hotel business and deserves much credit. He was educated in the common schools and, being very ambitious, he attended the night school while in Oliphant. In politics he was a liberal Democrat. He was a member of Smithton Lodge, No. 25, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of the Sons of St. George.

He married in 1872, Sophia Gallentine, of Salt Lick township, Fayette county, daughter of the Rev. John W. Gallentine, a well known divine of the Church of God, of Fayette county, and who is still living in the county. Mr. Jones had ten children, of whom eight survive: Margaret, wife of Odell Corwin, Bell Vernon, Pennsylvania; Gwenny, at home; Lena Leota, at home; Rachael, at home; William, Jr., who works for his father; John, a miner at Suterville; Joseph, who works for his father; Charlie attending school. Mr. Jones died February 13, 1906, but with those who knew him his memory will long be cherished.

Source: History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Volume II, by John N. Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906, Page 275-6.
Transcribed by Carol C. Eddleman for the Westmoreland County History Project.
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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