He came to Jonesville Michigan with his father as a child.He practiced medicine at Brooklyn,Michigan.Buried at Jonesville. His second wife,Miss Bessie Freeman,was the adopted daughter of Mr and Mrs J.B. Freeman. ----------------------------------------------------------------- In 1851 Leonidas Jones and his wife and three children moved to Grimes Co, Texas where his father, Benaiah Jones lived. Benaiah Jones sold him 200 acres of land for 200 Here Leonidas was appointed collector for the state orphan asylum and held the position for 5 years. It was necessary for him to go on horseback to every county in the State. He returned to Michigan in 1858 and graduated from the Homopathic College of Medicine in Cleveland and opened an office in Camden, Hillsdale Co, Michigan, After two years he moved to Brooklyn, Michigan where he passed the remained of his life. He is buried in the family plot in Jonesville. ----------------------------------------------------------------- From HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS- MICHIGAN PIONEER AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY Vol 30 pgs 254-55 In a talk before the Pioneer Society of Michigan , Dr. L. M. Jones said in conclusion " you will pardon me for this digression from my subject, when I say in conclusion, that five or six years since. a woman speaker ( as I see by the papers ) gave vent to utterances from this stand and before this pioneer society in regard to Mr. Jones, the first settler and founder of the now prosperous and flourishing village of Jonesville. Her words were ungrateful, uncalled for, and a burning shame to herself, and a gross imposition on this most honorable society, composed of highly respectable citizens of this and adjoining counties to whom she was speaking. I desire to say this of Benaiah Jones, for his redeeming traits of character and sterling qualities, I revere the name of my deceased father. That he made mistakes and has his faults, I am not here to deny, but that he had integrity and a kindness of heart, none ever knew, only the business men, his immediate acquaintances, and personal friends... He gave up his life for his country, as a Union man on Southern soil, in the late war of rebellion at the age of seventy-one years. Permit me to say that his life has gone into history, and neither you or I can alter or change the great and small truths of that history. We could wish that some portion of it might have been different, but his name and memory will be handed down to posterity and will be spoken of in honorable circles in the north as in the south for years and generations yet to come. ----------------------------------------------------------------- From 150 YEARS IN THE HILLS AND DALES Vol 2 pg 107 In 1849 the Fayette or California Rovers was formed. On March 6 th 16 left Jonesville for the famed Sacramento Valley ( gold rush ) Hundreds of people met at Jonesville to see them off. A grand dinner was prepared by L.M.JONES of the Fayette house. On January 20, 1849, a letter from S. M. Welsh, written at Salt Lake City,Utah, stated that they were unable to continue for the time in face of a severe winter. He also stated that the roads were blocked with dead cattle, abounded wagons, and men women and children were going on foot to California He feared starvation for many of them. On June 11, 1850, a letter was received from the Rovers stating that they would return home as soon as they had the means. Some came home rich, some came home broke and some never came home at all. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Marriage announcement- " Married Jones - Freeman. In Brooklyn on Thursday Cot 22 nd by Rev. W.M. Campbell of Dexter. Dr L.M. Jones and Miss Bessie Freeman, adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs J.B. Freeman. We extend our hearty congratulations." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Obituary - " DEATH OF DR. L.M.JONES - Of the advanced age of 82 years Dr. Leonidas M. Jones died at his home in this place on Monday morning.. The aged doctor has for the past year been gradually failing although with no dangerous ailment and upon retiring Sunday evening feeling as well as usual. Monday morning when Mrs. Jones went to call him he was found to have answered a previous summons. Softly as the falling of the last leaf the end had come in gentle sleep and the stalwart spirit had departed from the once strong but now enfeebled body. Leonidas M. Jones was born in Painsville, Ohio, in 1822 and came to Michigan with his parents in 1828. His father located on 220 acres of land on the present site of Jonesville..... The Jones family consisted of seven sons and one daughter, of which Leonidas was the third. His early education was in Jonesville and he afterwards attened the Western Homopathic College at Cleveland, Ohio. Immediately after graduating in 1858 he commenced practice in Camden, Hillside Co. In July 1860 he opened an office in Brooklyn which has been continued since that time until last December being located in what is the present Exponent office. ,The extent and success of Dr. Jone's medical practice is well know. Commencing at the time that his school of medicine was without prestige he built a large and substantial practice which only diminished when failing strength caused him to release it. He was married July 3, 1845 to Miss Charlotte Holcomb of Camden. One son Dr. O.Q. Jones of Tecumseh is now living. A daughter, Mrs R.V.House of New York died several years ago Dr. Jones contracted a second matrimonial alliance in Brooklyn, taking as his companion Miss Bessie Freeman, who with one daughter Miss. Florence , have by their care and devotion made pleasant comfortable the declining years of his life. As a physician Dr Jones has been a credit to his profession and a citizen that Brooklyn is proud to have owned. He has held public and private positions of trust and has always worked for the advancement of his home town in material prosperity and intellectual and moral growth. In his long and useful life many will find subject for emulation. The deceased was one of the charter members of the Masonic Lodges of this place and the funeral to be held this morning at nine o"clock will be in their charge. Rev. G.D. Sherman will officiate. The remains will be removed to Jonesville for interment. ---------------------------------------------------------------- From notes of R.M.Powers Jr. In the will of Benaiah Jones 111 he did not leave any money to Leonidas as he had already received his share.. His granddaughter by second marriage said that Benaiah knew that the Civil War was coming and sent three northern sons back with $1,300 each.