Jon was born and raised In Boone, Iowa. His great grandfather was Perry William Hartman. Perry was a well known blacksmith and wagon builder. Jon's other Boone great grandfather was William Perry Wilson. He was a drayman by trade and was killed by a locomotive while leaving the Doud meat packing plant in Boone. The drayman, wagon, and one of the horses were a total loss. The other horse was badly injured.

Jon was born and raised In Boone, Iowa. His great grandfather was Perry William Hartman. Perry was a well known blacksmith and wagon builder. Jon's other Boone great grandfather was William Perry Wilson. He was a drayman by trade and was killed by a locomotive while leaving the Doud meat packing plant in Boone. The drayman, wagon, and one of the horses were a total loss. The other horse was badly injured.