M. N. Jones, a leading hardware merchant in Maysville, was born in Platte County, Mo., in 1847. He was one of nine children born to Randolph and Sallie (Wilson) Jones, both natives of Tennessee. The parents removed to Missouri in 1844, and settled in Platte County, where they engaged in farming. In 1851 they immigrated to California, where they both died the same year they reached their new home. The father died from cholera. The children, except one brother, were sent for by an uncle, Rev. M. R. Jones, and they returned to Platte County. M. N. made his home with his uncle until his sixteenth year, when he was thrown upon his own resources. He received a common-school education, and at the age of sixteen engaged in selling fruit trees. He next drove the mail between Osborne and Plattsburg for about one year, after which he clerked in a hotel in Plattsburg. In 1871 he embarked in merchandising in that place, and continued about three years, when he engaged in general merchandising at Union Mills, for over one year. He then formed a partnership with Stonum Bros. and George P. Funkhouser, and was occupied in business in Plattsburg for six months, when they removed to Eagleville, Harrison County, where they carried on a general merchandising business for two years. Mr. Jones sold his interest to the firm, and removed to Maysville in 1877, and engaged in his present business. He carries a stock worth about $12,000, and does an annual business of from $20,000 to $30,000. He was elected as county treasurer in 1880, and previous to that had served as coroner of the county for one term. He is a member of the Masonic lodge. On October 13, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Barnett, who was born in Wheeling, Va., in 1851. She is the daughter of James and Mary Barnett. They have six children.
Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 569.