Elva Ray Jones was born in Johnston City, Illinois on December 20, 1894 to Willis Jones & Margaret Mifflin. When the 1900 federal census was taken, his 39 year old father and 34 year old mother were farming on a rented farm in Lake Creek Township. Elva 5, was one of six children living in the home. His mother reported that she had given birth to 9 children but only six were living.
By the 1910 census, his father had moved into Johnston City proper and purchased a home at 218 Hendricks Street which they owned free of mortgage. His mother, Margaret had died and his father, Willis 49, had remarried to an older female named Jennie who was then 56. Willis was working to support the family as a common laborer. 15 year old Elva had already taken on a job working as a newspaper printer under the tutelage of his uncle, R.W. Jones, editor of the Johnston City Progress newspaper. Elva graduated from Marion Township High School in 1913.
On June 13, 1915, Elva married Carolyn Stiritz. Carolyn was born in Stiritz, Illinois near Johnston City to Albert C. Stiritz and Antonia Zobel on November 20, 1894. Her family’s original family farm became the roots of Stiritz and her family was engaged in numerous business ventures in Johnston City. The year that Elva married he was working for his uncle at the Johnston City Progress newspaper.
When Elva filled out his WWI draft record in 1917, he was 26 and living in Johnston City. He was working as a clerk for the Stiritz Fuel Company in Johnston City. He was physically described as short and stout with brown eyes and light hair.
When Elva’s father, Willis, died in February 1919, Elva was noted to be working as a foreman for the Egyptian Press Printing Company in Marion. It was also noted that Willis was the brother of the editor of the Johnston City Progress.
It was confirmed by the 1920 census, that Elva 25 was living in a home owned free of mortgage in Marion at 412 E. Marion Street and Elva was listed as a printer. Oddly enough, his wife and child were not shown with him in this census for some reason unknown.
An article appearing in the Marion Daily Republican in 1922 indicated that Cyril Bernard Jones, 13 day old son of Elva and Caroline had died at their home on E. Marion Street and that one child, Merle, aged 6, remains the only child. A city directory from the same year listed Elva as foreman at the Egyptian Press Printing company.
When gangster Charlie Birger’s hideout called the Shady Rest, near Crab Orchard, was bombed and burned in January 1927 Elva, as a newsman, was one of the first to arrive at the scene. He later served as a witness to what he saw on that day at a coroner’s inquest and trials.
In the 1930 census, Elva and Caroline, both 35, had one child, Merle 13, living with them at 412 E. Marion Street which they valued at $3,500. Elva was listed as a newspaper editor which would have been for the Marion Evening Post. The couple indicated that they had a radio set in the home.
In the 1935 Marion city election, Elva was elected to the city council as Accounts & Finance commissioner under Mayor Harry L. Crisp and served through 1939 during the depression.
During the 1940 census, Elva and Caroline both 44, were still living at 412 E. Marion Street in Marion with their son, Merle 23. Both Elva and Merle were working for the Egyptian Press Printing company in Marion helping print the Marion Evening Post.
When Elva filled out his WWII draft record in 1942, he was 47 years old and still editor of the Marion Evening Post. He was physically described as 5’ 10”, 210 lbs., with blue eyes and brown hair with a ruddy complexion. This report contradicts his having brown eyes in his WWI draft record.
By the 1950 census, Elva and Caroline, now both 55, had moved to Fairfield, Illinois in Wayne County to take on the management of the local newspaper there called the Wayne County Record. They were living at 307 N. 1st Street and Elva indicated that he had worked 48 hours in the previous week to the census.
Elva Jones passed away at the age of 83 in Herrin Hospital on February 25, 1978. At the time of his death he was living at 213 N. 20th in Herrin. According to his obit in the Southern Illinoisan, he was the father of Merle Jones, sports editor of the Southern Illinoisan. Jones was a newspaper printer, a reporter and general manager of the Marion Evening Post and the Wayne County Record. He was a member of the Marion city council in the 1930’s. He was a past exalted ruler of the Marion Elks Lodge 800 and was a member of the International Typographical Union Local 217 out of Murphysboro for 64 years. He graduated from Marion High School in 1913 and was a member of the Herrin United Methodist Church.
He left his wife, son and a sister, Mertus Samuel of Effingham, a grand daughter and two great grandsons. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery in Marion.
Elva’s wife, Caroline, passed away on June 13, 1993 at Herrin Hospital while residing in Herrin at 401 N. 16th Street. She was preceded in death by a son Cyril B., husband Elva R., six brothers and two sisters. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery in Marion.
Notes on Children:
Cyril Bernard Jones, born February 1922 and died at the age of 13 days of age.
Merle Winston Jones, born in Johnston City May 24, 1916, married Louise Marie Marlow on January 26, 1945, entered the Army on February 3, 1941, commissioned as officer in July 25, 1942, served as public relations officer. Sports editor for the Southern Illinoisan from 1949-1978. Died December 8, 1993 in Herrin Illinois, burial in San Carlo Cemetery, Herrin, Illinois.
(Sources: Federal census records, WWI and WWII Draft records, Marion Daily Republican, Southern Illinoisan and Marion Evening Post newspapers, Oldham Paisley Scrapbooks, FindaGrave.com. Compiled by Sam Lattuca on 6/26/2024)