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John Matthew Joness  (1839 ~ 1902)

 

4.1.4. Fourth child of Mary Elford and Matthew Joness, John Matthew Joness, was born October 1, 1839, in Darlington Twp., Newcastle Dist., Upr. Can. 

  He married Annie Eliza McFadden, daughter of Rev. William McFadden and Susan Wilson, May 19, 1863, in Darlington Twp., Durham Co., Ontario and had seven children:

 

 

  John M. Joness died November 30, 1902, aged 63 years and Annie E. McFadden Joness died December 11, 1912, aged 72 years in Bowmanville, Ontario and are interred in Bowmanville Cemetery.

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----- OBITUARIES -----

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John M. Joness

October 1, 1839 ~ November 30, 1902

No sadder termination to an active and useful life has occurred in this district than the one that ended the earthly life of Mr. John M. Joness on Sunday last. During the high wind Saturday night the windmill on the barn at Retreat Dairy Farm, the home of Mr. Joness, became unfastened, and hearing it Mr. Joness arose about midnight and went to shut it off, when in some way his arm was caught between the cog wheels and he was unable to extricate himself. His coat sleeve was caught near the wrist, and his left arm was drawn tightly into the gearing till the shoulder offered such obstruction that he remained in the angry grasp of the machinery between seven and eight hours long, suffering the most terrible torture and suspense, pinioned firmly as he was. Every fresh gust of wind caused the most intense pain. He retained consciousness, however, and was able to call for help when he heard his son Fred arrive. The arm was deadened by the severe torture and the severe shock occasioned by every jerk of the wheel in the high gale that prevailed, and his right arm had also lost its power no doubt as a result of the shock.

  Mrs. Joness knew when he arose and went out, supposed it was morning and had no anxiety because of his absence, thinking he was feeding the stock as they boys were away, his eldest son, William, having gone with his wife Saturday night out to her father’s to spend Sunday, and Fred., the other son, lives in town, having charge of the dairy branch of the business, doing the delivering and is always out late Saturday nights. It was therefore between 7 and 8 o’clock Sunday morning when Fred Joness went down to the farm to assist with the chores and help do the milking.

  Hearing him arrive, Mr. Joness shouted sufficiently loud to attract attention, and was soon extricated from the painful grasp of the machinery, but naturally in a very exhausted condition.

  As soon as he was removed to the house Dr. A. S. Tilley was summoned, and later Dr. Porter, and they did what they could to alleviate his suffering and restore him after exhaustion of the night’s suffering and exposure.

  The barn was too far from the house to make anyone hear, especially on such a windy night, and at that period everybody was supposed to be soundly sleeping. Unfortunately Mr. Joness had left his pocket knife on the table when he went out, or else he might have cut himself loose. But in the condition he was in he was powerless to free himself fro the unyielding clutches of the machine. 

  Bad as were the circumstances, they might have been very much worse, for when found by Mr. Fred. Joness, the lantern he had carried was in a tipping position, and possibly might have set fire to the straw underneath, had it fallen from the platform, in which case the buildings must inevitably have been burned and deceased with them. His terrible experience and suffering during that long seven hours caused such a shock to his nervous system that natural feeling did not return, and though quite rational up to noon he gradually lapsed into unconsciousness, and in spite of all medical skill passed peacefully away about 8 p.m.

  Of the late John Matthew Joness we know nothing but good. The writer has been very intimately associated with him for many years in church work, Farmers’ Institute and Agricultural Socities, and ever found him a most agreeable fellow worker, a man whose influence was for good always, and who was strictly honorable in all his dealings. As a church official he was one of the most faithful and active men we have known, and although living nearly two miles from the church, it was very rarely that he was absent from any meeting of the Official or trustee boards. He had also been a Church Steward for many years, and looked well after the temporal affairs of his beloved church. He was also a liberal contributor to its financial claims, and his last official act was on Tuesday night before his death to assist in completing arrangements for the annual Thank-offering next Sunday, to which occasion he was looking forward with pleasant anticipation.  But the allwise God has ruled otherwise, and as this paper goes to press, his remains are being laid to rest in the family plot in the cemetery where he rests from his labors.

  He leaves besides a sorrowing and almost heart broken wife, six grownup children: William M., Fred. H., and Charles H.; and Misses Minnie E. and Beatrice at home, and Mrs. H. C. Brittain, Strathroy. A brother and two sister’s also survive him, Mr. H. Joness and Miss Joness, who has kept house for the late Squire Haines since his wife died and Mrs. Hugh Brodie, Watertown, N.Y. The late George Haines, J.P., whose obituary we published last week was a brother-in-law of deceased.

  The sincerest sympathy of a very wide circle of acquaintances is extended to Mrs. Joness and family in this very sad and unexpected bereavement. Bowmanville Statesman, Dec. 3, 1902.

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Annie E. McFadden Joness

June 19, 1840 ~ December 11, 1912

After several weeks of suffering and weakness borne with patience and Christian fortitude Mrs. J. M. Joness passed away early Wednesday morning in her 73rd year. Deceased was a daughter of the late Rev. William McFadden and since early life has been a member and zealous worker in the Methodist church. After the death of her husband, November 30, 1902, she removed from “Retreat Dairy” farm which had been their home on King-st., where she has since resided with her two daughters. Her place was seldom vacant in the church and in the various societies she was a generous giver and an active worker. Though feeling her weakness during the summer only recently it was discovered that she had a disease from which it was impossible for her to recover. The funeral took place Friday afternoon, service being conducted by her pastor, Rev. H. B. Kenny, and two former pastors, Rev. T. W. Joliffe and Rev. John Garbutt, (Cobourg), all paying worthy tributes to the life of deceased. The pall bearers were Messrs. Jacob Pollard, Paul C. Trebilcock, James McLean and F. A. Haddy. She leaves to mourn the loss of a loving mother three sons—Messrs. William M., Muncey, Fred H. on the homestead, and Charles H., Schrieber; and three daughters, Mrs. John Joblin, Red Deer, Alta.; Mrs. H. C. Brittain, Moose Jaw, Sask.; Miss A. B. Joness, who has cared for her mother during her illness was sure to prove fatal the family all came home, and the satisfaction of seeing and conversing with their mother while she was able to talk with them and give them counsel has been a great comfort and satisfaction that will linger with them to the end of life. The floral offerings consisted of a wreath from her brother, sprays from the Ladies’ Aid, W.C.T.U., Young Ladies’ Bible Class, Missionary Society and many others, expressive of sympathy for the bereaved ones. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almight.” West Durham News, Dec. 27, 1912.

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