From:
Biographical History of Fayette, Franklin, Union and Wayne Counties, Indiana
Originally Published in 1899 by Lewis Publishing Co.
County History Preservation Society
County History.com http://www.countyhistory.com/doc.fayet/174.htm
copyright 2000-2005 Ronald Branson

"...Philip T. Jones, of this review, was reared amid pioneer scenes and began his education in a primitive log schoolhouse, where school was conducted on the subscription plan. Later he attended the Liberty High School, received a good education and studied civil engineering to some extent. For a time he engaged in school teaching and later in surveying. He remained with his parents until his marriage in 1843, and began housekeeping in a cabin on the home farm. He then took charge of a forty acre tract of land in Union County, given him by his father, and for seven years devoted his time to its improvement and cultivation. On selling out, at the end of that time, he bought a farm in Bath Township, Franklin County, and in 1862 purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in the same township, making that his home up to the present time. He has erected a commodious and substantial residence, good barns and other outbuildings, has tiled and fenced the farm and placed it under a high state of cultivation. His entire life has been devoted to general farming and stock raising, and he has met with a well-deserved success in labors..."

"... IN 1843 Mr. Jones married Miss Caroline Girton, a native of Butler County, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob Girton, a prominent and wealthy merchant and farmer of that county, who later in life moved to Shelby County, Indiana, where he died. Of the three children born to our subject and his wife, two died young. Benjamin, the only one now living, was formerly a farmer, but is now engaged in the implement business in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana. The wife and mother died March 11, 1861, and Mr. Jones was again married March 11, 1862, his second union being with Mrs. Lydia Bourne. By a former marriage she had two daughters, Lorinda and Lucy, who were reared by our subject but are now deceased. She became the mother of five children by her marriage with Mr. Jones, namely: Oran H., who died young; Morton P., a farmer of Bath Township, Franklin County; Charles T., who operates the home farm; Benton, who died in infancy; and Arthur H., an attorney of Alexandria, Indiana. The wife and mother, after much patient suffering, died March 28, 1899. She was a consistent Christian woman, being a member of the Baptist Church, to which Mr. Jones also belongs. Her paternal grandfather was William Goff, a native of Ireland, who came to American during colonial days, and who during the Revolutionary War was in the employ of the government, being a ship carpenter by trade. He had previously married Prudence Passenger, and while he was in the service of his adopted country she operated a gristmill. In 1804 he moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he purchased a farm and spent his remaining days. At an early day he entered land in Bath Township, Franklin County, Indiana, upon which his son, John, afterward located. His children were John, father of Mrs. Jones; William; Mrs. Lydia Crippin; Hannah, wife of J. Applegate; Mrs. Sarah Bateman; and Mrs. Garrison. John Goff, Jr., the father of Mrs. Jones, was born in New Jersey, and was only ten years old when taken by his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He came to Franklin County, Indiana, in territorial days, and here erected a small distillery, engaging in the manufacture of whiskey, for which he found a ready sale among the Indians, who still remained in Rush County. Later he was married in this state and located on the land, which his father had entered. Building a cabin in the midst of the forest, he began to improve and cultivate his land. He raised flax and wool, which his wife spun, wove and converted into clothing for the family. Game of all kinds was plentiful and many wild beasts were then numerous in this region, and the sheep and other stock had to be put in pens to protect them from the wolves. In politics Mr. Goff was an enthusiastic Democrat. At one time he cast the only vote for that party in Bath Township, and in 1824, when Jackson ran for president, his was one of the three votes cast for him there. In religious faith he was a Methodist. He married Lucy Johnson, a native of Kentucky. Her parents were Edward and Margaret (Dunn) Johnson, natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, respectively. They were married in the former state and in 1805 came to Indiana Territory, locating first in Dearborn County, but in 1807 they came to Franklin County and settled on the present site of Laurel, where Mr. Johnson entered land, which is still in the possession of his heirs. His children were John, Edward, Demire, Lemuel, William, Lucy and Phebe. To John and Lucy (Johnson) Goff were born the following children: Prudence, Phebe, John J., William, Edward, Wesley, Lucy A., Margaret, Sarah, Lydia (who first married H. Bourne, and, secondly, Philip T. Jones, our subject), and James B. and Adeline..."

"...The Democratic Party finds in Mr. Jones a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has attended many county and state conventions, being one of the leaders of the party in his locality. He is also a prominent and influential citizen, having the respect and confidence of the entire county, and he has been called upon to fill the office of Justice of the Peace both in Union and Franklin Counties, the duties of which position he discharged in a most commendable and satisfactory manner..."

From:
Biographical History of Fayette, Franklin, Union and Wayne Counties, Indiana
Originally Published in 1899 by Lewis Publishing Co.
County History Preservation Society
County History.com http://www.countyhistory.com/doc.fayet/174.htm
copyright 2000-2005 Ronald Branson

1880 Census Indiana
Bath, Franklin Co.,  
Roll:T9_278 FHFilm:1254278 
Page:226D ED:77 Image:0114, 16-21

From:
Biographical History of Fayette, Franklin, Union and Wayne Counties, Indiana
Originally Published in 1899 by Lewis Publishing Co.
County History Preservation Society
County History.com http://www.countyhistory.com/doc.fayet/174.htm
copyright 2000-2005 Ronald Branson

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