John Thomas Dones (1889-1970) was born at Badsey on 6th February 1889, the son of Thomas William Dones, a gardener, and his wife, Alice Sophia (née Hall). He was baptised in St James’ Church, Badsey, on 17th March 1889. He had an older sister, Amy Elizabeth, born in 1886 whilst Alice was still single.
In 1890, John emigrated with his mother and sister to America. His father had gone to America the year before. The family set sail from Liverpool bound for New York on 30th April 1890. They seem to have gone firstly to Auburn, Geauga County, Ohio, where a number of Badsey families were already living. Two more siblings were born once they had arrived in Ohio. By 1900 they were living at Troy, Geauga County, Ohio.
John never married. In 1910, he was working as a farm labourer, and boarding at Howes Farm in Troy. In 1920 and 1930 he was back living in the parental home, still working as a labourer.
On 27th April 1942, John, aged 53, completed a World War II Draft registration card (for men born on or after 28th April 1877 and on or before 16th February 1897). He gave his residence as Chillicothe Road, Russell, Geauga County (this was where his youngest sister, Margaret Dines, lived) and was employed at Halferd Farms, Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He was 5’ 9” tall, weighed 160 1bs, had blue eyes and grey hair.
John died in long-term care facilities in Chardon, Geauga, Ohio, on 15th February 1970, aged 81. Social Security records gave his last residence as Warren, Trumbull, Ohio. He was buried in the Dones family plot in Shadyside Cemetery, Auburn Township.