Born: Jacksonville, Illinois, April 4, 1832
Died:
Susan E. Jones was born near Jacksonville, Illinois, April 4, 1832. She was the oldest daughter of Elder John T. Jones and Emily Woodward, his wife. She was educated at Jacksonville Female Academy, the oldest ladies' school in the State, and began teaching in 1847.
Prof. Fisher says in a recent letter to Mrs. Grant, "You conducted the first school in the series that developed into Eureka College, and well do I remember who assisted me during my second year in Walnut Grove."
Four years later she accepted a position in Christian College, Columbia, Missouri, then in the efficient hands of Pres. John Augustus Williams of Kentucky.
In 1852 she was married to Prof. Robert A. Grant, of Boone county, Missouri, and removed to Canton,
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Missouri, where she was present at the laying of the corner-stone of Christian University in 1853.
For several years she was principal of the De Soto Young Ladies' Institute at this place, and her husband continued teaching in Christian University until 1875, when they removed to Woodland, California.
On account of financial reverses, Mrs. Grant re-entered the school-room after reaching California, and taught for some nine years. During this time she served for some time as the President of the California Home Missionary Society, and afterward as President of the Christian Women's Board of Missions of California, when the Home Mission became merged in the National organization.
In every emergency of life, Mrs. Grant has proved a woman of unusual force of character, remarkable intelligence, and exceptional energy, cheerfulness and courage.
"The heart of her husband cloth safely trust in her," and her children say well "rise up and call her blessed." The latter are all educated Christian young men and women, acting well their part in life's arena.
Thus loved and honored by the community in which she lives, her family, church and friends, may she spend a serene old age, until she is called up higher to enjoy the broader opportunities,
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the higher ideals, the nobler affections, the grander motives of the future, Just Beyond.