Looking for Descendants of Benjamin Franklin JONES

[Chicago-Jones]

Unfortunately there were several men, all born in Scotland, who used Benjamin Franklin JONES (or Benjamin F JONES) - the most famous one being the co-founder of JONES & LAUGHLIN Steel company.

Mine was a streetcar motorman in Chicago, where he was "found dead" at a railroad crossing in 1903, cause of death uncertain.

Benjamin Franklin JONES (1847 Scotland) was the eldest son of Thomas Price JONES (Glamorgan) and Phoebe Maria JONES (Hereford).  Family lore (a JONES family narrative prepared by my grandfather's eldest brother) says he had 2 children (Maria and Evan) but I found more - and possibly 2 wives.

1880 Illinois - Benjam (33, Scot, par Scot) laborer, wife#1 wife Annie (26, Can, par Can), Elizabeth (8, Ohio), Moraia (4, Illinois) - assuming Moraia was a corruption of Maria

On familysearch.org the following was found (but not proved):
a) "Record submitted after 1991 by LDS member"  + an extracted record suggest that
Elizabeth born 12Nov1871, Cuyahoga, Ohio to Benjamin Jones + Ann E.)
(Birth record has not yet been ordered.)

b) extracted IGI marriage record suggests
a Benjamin JONES married Ann JONES on 01Jun1873 in Medina, OH
(Marriage record not yet ordered.)

c) "Record submitted after 1991 by LDS member" suggests a son
Thomas JONES (1879, Ill) to Benjamin F JONES and Annie
(Birth record has not yet been ordered.)

No Birth info yet uncovered for Moraia/Maria (born Cook county?, Illinois 1876)

First wife Annie may have died 1884-1888 (there are several in this range according to Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre–1916) but her burial location is unknown!  There was no mention of her in the JONES narrative.
There is also a "Annie JONES (3 month, 7 days) who died 4Nov1878", several unnamed stillborn JONES children (24Jun1874, 18Aug1879) whose parentage is unknown buried in the JONES family plot at Rosehill cemetery, Chicago, where Ben is buried with his parents, younger siblings, several children (some of which are presumed to be Benjamin's).  (Unfortunately death records in Illinois do not list spouses or parents before 1910 so it would not pay to order them.) 

1900 Illinois (Chicago): JONES, Benjamin (Oct 1847, 52, Scot) – Motorman RR, wife Sarah (Jun 1867, 31, Eng), Thomas (Jun 1879, 20, Ill), Evan (Aug 1871, 28, Ill)
* This entry raises several questions yet to be answered:
A) why were sons Thomas (1879) and Evan (1871) not listed on 1880 Illinois census?

B) Or how could Evan (Aug) and Elizabeth (Nov) be both born in 1871 in two different states?

c) Is it because the Benjamin JONES in 1880 census (laborer) and the one in 1900 (motorman) are two different persons?

--------------------
Nothing is known about Elizabeth or Maria/Moiria or Thomas.
Little is known about son Evan - except he was rumored to have
*  married a "French War bride" named "Birdie",
* worked for Rockwell Barnes (a paper manufacturer) and
* lived near Wilson Ave on Chicago's northside.  (My late aunt recalls visiting them once.)

I'll post Evan JONES separately at a future time - after I research further.

Chicago-Jones

Author comment 1: Original thread to Benjamin's mother, "Phoebe Maria JONES" in England/Hereford is found here -
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,439136.msg3025324.html#msg3025324

Author comment 2: Original thread to Benjamin's father "Thomas Price JONES" in Wales/Glamorgan is found here -
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=439148.msg3025876

Author comment 3: Thread to Ben's parents “Thomas Price JONES + Phoebe Maria  JONES family in Chicago”  in the United States is found here -
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,440838.msg3040504.html#msg3040504

[Chicago-Jones]

UPDATE to my earlier 28 February 10 posting.

Just two months ago, I located the death certificate, coroner's report, Chicago Tribune report of his disappearance and death, and Chicago Daily News death notice for Benjamin F Jones who died 31Oct1903.  This is a summary of the relevant newly uncovered facts.

 Chicago Daily News Death Notice - lists him as a 55 yo Widower, with 4 children (Evan, Elizabeth, Maria, Thomas) - eldest to youngest.  Since his second wife was not listed, Sarah presumably died between 1900 census (where they had been married 2 years) and his 1903 death.

Chicago Tribune report said he'd disappeared around the 23th of October, after leaving his street car conductor coat, vest, pocket watch, and cap in La Grange (western Cook county suburb).  His body was found adjacent to RR tracks in neighboring DuPage county (Warrenville township).
My suspicion is that he was depressed, and stepped in front of a freight train which carried him into DuPage county and threw his body off when it slowed for a curve.

The DuPage county coroner's report listed cause of death as "unknown, possibly exposure". (The DuPage county death certificate only added the funeral home that handled his remains, but they don't have records back to 1903 now.)

Based on the US censuses ages or DoB assigned to each of the children, it is presumed that he might have had the kids in the follow order, all with first wife Annie (Ann E.)
Evan (1871) in Illinois; Elizabeth (1872) in Ohio; Maria (1878) in Illinois; Thomas (1879) in Illinois.

I'm stuck -- I cannot uncover when/where/who each daughter married or the name of Evan's bride (just her nickname of Birdie).

Chicago-Jones