Jones spent his formative years in Marshalltown in the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer made Jones come alive through words and exhibits during the Historical Society of Marshall County (HSMC) “History on Second Tuesday” event Tuesday night at the local Mowry-Irvine Mansion.

Jones was the first black to graduate from Marshalltown High School. He was an esteemed and popular member of the class of 1903.

After graduating from the University of Iowa in 1907, the charismatic Jones made his way to Piney Woods, Miss., a small rural community in the state’s southwest.

Pictured is the renowned Black educator Laurence Jones, a Marshalltown High School graduate who established Piney Woods Country Life School in 1909.

Greer said it was unclear why Jones moved there but he speculated the Black educator could have been motivated by the extremely high rate of illiteracy among young Black people there.

Inspired by Booker T. Washington — another renowned Black educator — Jones founded PWCLS.

The school’s mission was to educate youth in academia, agriculture science and building trades. The school opened in 1909 – and 116 years later – is still educating students in grades nine through 12, Greer said.

Jones’ first student used a tree stump as a desk, Greer said. Word spread of Jones’ efforts, and more students arrived and it became necessary to build a log shed which served as the first school house.

Jones aggressively contacted white businessmen in the area to raise funds to meet the needs of his growing student body. He was successful.

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) – a racist group organized around the principle of white supremacy – was influential during that time in rural Mississippi.

“Jones was almost lynched by an angry mob inspired by the KKK when they heard him speak in a church about the school.” Greer said. “They heard his words from outside … they felt threatened. The mob gave him an opportunity to speak before they carried out their deed, but Jones eloquence about his mission to educate Black people and improve the quality of life in the area convinced them to halt and free him. The same men who were considering lynching him then collected money for the school.”

Word of the school reached Marshalltown, where prominent resident Susie Sower contributed funds, and the school infirmary was named in her honor, according to HSMC board member Michelle Roseburrough of Marshalltown.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fosness of Marshalltown were volunteers on the staff at PWCLS from 1970 to 1975, according to the late historian Irene Fosness as described in her book “Marshalltown – A Pictorial History.”

Jones died in 1975.

“Perhaps Jones’ highest honor was awarded posthumously on Nov. 1, 1981m when his portrait and name were presented to the Mississippi Hall of Fame – the first black to receive such an honor,” wrote Irene Fosness.

A few years ago, a number of students and faculty visited Marshalltown to learn more about the community where the school’s founder spent his formative years. The school invited Greer to speak at a recent commencement.

Attending the event was WHO-TV13 reporter/anchor Katie Kaplan of Des Moines, who said Greer’s presentation on Jones will be part of the station’s acknowledgement of noteworthy Black Iowans during Black History month in February.

“We were extremely pleased with mayor Greer’s detailed and enthusiastic presentation,” said Judy Lange, an HSMC board member who had invited Greer. “His program specifically and the History on Second Tuesday programs in general is part of an ongoing effort by HSMC to educate central Iowans about the significant contributions of past and present Marshall County residents and events that have shaped the county.”

For more information, contact HSMC at 641-752-6664 or info@hsmcia.org.