BACK IN THE DAY: Great-great Grandpa Levi Jones served in the Union Army

Granny talked a lot about her grandpa, Dr. Levi Jones (1836-1929). He was my great-great grandfather, and I always enjoyed hearing stories about family history. She said back before the Civil War, he had several slaves right here in Henderson County. They were brought into his 1856 marriage by his well-to-do wife, but as head of the new household, he freed them. As the Civil War progressed, he joined the Northern army because their values were more aligned to his own personal beliefs. 

While serving in the Union’s 2nd N.C. Mounted Infantry, Company H, he received medical training and was promoted to Captain. While such medical skills would be elementary by today’s standards, they were the best available for that time and place. In battlefield situations, soldiers were grateful for a medic. After serving honorably, Captain Jones returned to Henderson County where he became recognized as a country doctor.  

It was here that Dr. Jones continued to relieve pain and suffering by combining herbs with his wartime training. Medical personnel were not available for mountain people in the late 1800s, especially in rural areas of Henderson County. So, along with successful farming and experimental mining, Dr. Jones also served his community with health services.  

Granny had fond childhood memories of visiting her grandparents’ large farm. She liked to describe the beauty of abundant crops, fenced pastures with barns, and their nice home. Then, she sadly reminisced about the entire property “being covered up with Lake Summit,” when the new dam was constructed in 1920. Progress had many benefits for the community, and the expanded availability of electricity was one of them. Like other farmers and homeowners, Dr. Jones was compensated for his land and was able to successfully relocate. Still, Granny thought it was sad that her elderly grandpa had less than a decade to live after the upheaval of moving. 

His mining operation for zircons in the community, now known as Zirconia, North Carolina, helped bring local and national attention. Dr. Jones and other local mine owners invited both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford to evaluate the industrial-grade zircons found in Henderson County. These innovators’ assessment of the mines was that the quality of stones was incredibly good. However, the quantity was insufficient for their vast ongoing experiments. Still, residents of the little Zirconia community can be proud that our history includes some world-famous visitors.  

One of the community services Dr. Jones is remembered for is his sale of land for the Crossroads Baptist Church and Cemetery in Zirconia. Records indicate that he charged the congregation just one dollar. Apparently, this arrangement may have been suggested by his lawyer. But as he intended, the donated properties remain in use to this day with a thriving Baptist church in a new building. In fact, Levi’s own grave is in Crossroads Cemetery, along with his wife’s, and perhaps several hundred of their generational descendants.  

It is interesting that his tombstone shows his Civil War service and rank of Captain with no mention of the widely known title of Doctor. It seems that he was proudest of serving his country in a time of internal conflict. Yet, upon his return, he used his wartime medical skills to help a community that lacked those services. Perhaps the carved words underneath his name sum up his life: “A Friend To His Country And A Believer In Christ.”  

There are many Jones descendants in Henderson County who may know other Levi Jones legends. Family history is always fascinating, and I would like to learn more. Think about your own ancestors and the stories that were shared through the generations. It is honoring to our heritage to seek out information that could possibly be lost in time. 

Janie Mae Jones McKinley's new book, "The Legacy of Bear Mountain, Volume 2," (340 pages) is available in Hendersonville at the Historic Court House Gift Shop, The Curb Market, Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society, M. A. Pace General Store (Saluda) and at Amazon.com. Over three years of her Back in the Day  newspaper columns are included, along with new stories of Granny’s life on Bear Mountain.