One of the best known public officials and one who to a large extent enjoys the confidence of the public is James Henry Jones county treasurer of Cole county Missouri He was born near Hickory Hill that county March 19 1873 a son of Washington R and Eliza J Musick Jones both natives of Tennessee They came to Cole county Missouri with their respective parents when children ten years of age Mr Jones has been a lifelong farmer owning a valuable property of two hundred and sixty five acres near Hickory Hill on which he makes his residence His wife passed away November 12 1913 James H Jones was reared on the home farm acquiring his education in the country schools of Cole county and in the Miller County Institute at Spring Garden Missouri At the age of seventeen he adopted teaching as his profession and for thirteen years thereafter identified himself with educational work in Cole county being during the greater part of this time a member of the board of education During these thirteen years Mr Jones followed the carpenter's trade during his summer vacations In 1904 he was elected to a county office being chosen surveyor and highway engineer and continuing these duties for four years In 1908 he was elected county assessor and that his administration was effective and efficient is evident from the fact that he was reelected in 1912 In his difficult position which is so easily open to criticism he has shown himself to be a man who with diplomatic tact has furthered the interests of the county and yet has kept friends with the taxpayers It is principally for the reason that he is just in the distribution of taxes that he enjoys the good will of the general public On May 3 1905 Mr Jones was united in marriage to Miss Leona Howard of Russellville Cole county Missouri and to them were born three children Helen Delene Edna Ella and Washington Howard Mr Jones is an ardent democrat and his excellent advice is often sought by the leaders of the party in his district However he never lets his political inclinations interfere with his public duties He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South while his wife belongs to the Baptist faith In fraternal circles he is well known holding membership in Russellville Lodge No 90 AF & AM having passed through all of the chairs Both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star He also belongs to Jefferson Lodge No 37 IOOF and is a member of the Jefferson City Commercial Club in which connection he is among those men who exert their efforts toward trade extension and expansion Along more strictly professional lines he is a member of the Missouri State Association of County Assessors and is secretary of this society Mr Jones is a public spirited citizen a faithful official and a thoroughly reliable man The confidence placed in him by the general public is fully justified