A successful rancher of this vicinity and for many years prominent as a walnut grower in the Mountain View District, was Edward B. Jones who became a resident of El Monte in 1889. Mr. Jones was born near National, Clayton County, Iowa, September 12, 1859. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Francis) Jones, native of Virginia and New Your, respectively, who in the early fifties moved to Iowa and engaged at farming. Educated in the common schools of his home community, Mr. Jones remained with his parents until after his twenty-second birthday, soon after which he decided to move to California. Arriving on one of the first emigrant trains in 1882, (the trip requiring some eight or nine days) Mr. Jones first leased a tract of land near Sierra Madre and for seven years engaged at general farming and fruit raising. In 1889, he moved to El Monte and leased forty acres on the west side of the Rio Hondo. Here he engaged in farming for four years, at the end of which time he bought twenty-seven acres of land on the Maxson tract east of town. This he set to walnuts and improved by a modern home and outbuildings. Mr. Jones was united in marriage March 7, 1883 with Winona Trussell, a native of Ohio, whose parents were Amos D. and Harriet (Reasoner) Trussell who were born in New Hampshire and Ohio respectively. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Violet, (Mrs. C.S. Buffington) of Inglewood; and Clarence E. Redondo Beach. In 1903, Mr. Jones moved his family to Los Angeles in order to permit the children to complete their education. Mr. Jones remained in El Monte, however, managing his walnut grove until 1918 when he entered the employment of the Pacific Electric Railway, and moved to Los Angeles. In 1932 he retired and has since lived with his son Clarence at 2118 Rockefeller Lane, Redondo Beach, Mrs. Jones having died in 1923. For many years Mr. Jones was affiliated with the Independent Order of Foresters, and was liberal in his support by his time and means of all public improvement work. He served for many years on the Mountain View Walnut Growers Association Board of Directors, and also as a trustee on the board of trustees of the Mountain View School. In politics, Mr. Jones is very liberal in his views and holds himself independent of party ties. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Jones enjoys frequent visits to El Monte renewing his acquaintance with old friends and keeping in touch with the progress of his old home community.
Source: C. D. Mayon, F. Brow, L. Stoddard, and C. Mudd; El Monte from the Pioneer Days. WPA Project No. N-5740, 1936. In record 19-187072. (California Historical Landmark No. 765: El Monte). On file at the SCCIC, CSU Fullerton.