The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-30

this country at the age of 22 and by
his fine abilities advanced from the po-
sition of miner to that of very sue
cessful coal operator. He was married
August 4, 1916, to Mary T., daughter
of Richard Jones, a manufacturer of
Wales. Their son, whose career we are
now considering. received his early
education in the common schools Of
Olyphant his parents having removed
to that vicinity in 1853 He continued
there until his seventeenth year. when
he entered the Keystone Academy at
Factoryville.
His education was finished at the
well-known Wyoming Seminary at
Kingston, where he was student
about three years. on September 2S,
1876, he entered the law department Of
Harvard College, where, after a thor
ough course he was graduated in
1879, receiving the degree of LIB. In
the meantime he had been admitted
to the practice of his profession, at
MiddleseX, Mass, March 70, 1873, after
passing a credtable examination be-
fore a board of three members of this
famous bar.
Mr.. Jones next entered the law office
of Alexander r. Farnham, at Wilkes
Barre, September 23, 1879, and on June
s. of the following year, he was ad-
mltted to practice in the courts of Lu-
2erne county. on October s, 1880, he
entered the law office of Hon. r. w.
Archibald, at Scranton, and on the
same day upon motion of Judge Arch
bald, was admitted to practice in the
courts of LaCkawanna county. Upon
the election of Judge Archibald to the
bench in 1884, Mr. Jones opened separ-
ate law offices of his own, and in a few
years, through the vigor of his intel
lect, his marvellous capacity for work
and his extensive knowledge Of the law
he placed himself in the front rank of
his profession. His practice was not
extended into the United States Cir
cult Court, the Western District Court,
and the Supreme Court of the United
States.
1t was in the domain of criminal law
that he was destined to become best
known. He became connected with
e 4
in Lacllawanna county, among these
the case of Augustine Nolli, who was
tried for murder in the first degree, in
| 1899. The defense took desperate
| chances, but through the skill and
| ability of Mr.. Jones, and his magnetism
as displayed in six hours address be-
| fore the jury, a verdict of murder in
| the second degree only was rendered.
In the defense of Paul Hydo, who was
| indicted for murder in 1889, Mr.. Jones
was also associated. His wise counsel
and legal knowledge remain in the his
tory Of the case
Mr.. Jones' wide experience in the de-
fense of prisoners well fitted him for
| their prosecution, and it was but ma
tural that the people should elect him
to the office of District Attorney in
1894. His record, during the next three
years, was an envlable one. Every
grand jury passed resolutions COM
mending his faithful and efficient man
ner of conducting the business of his
| office. as we'll as his courtesy toward
all who came in contact with him. His
| popularity was such that, in 1897, g
| spontaneous endorsement of his can,
didacy for denomination came from the
leading members of the bench and bal
of his county. Men of all shades o
political opinion united i'm testifying il
the public prints to his ability, energy
conscientiousness, and fitness for thu
office.
Politically Mr.. Jones has been YER!
active in the councils of the Republican
party with which he has always affil
lated. He has been a delegate to man!
city, county, and State conventions
where his fine qualities as an orato
and debator have made him COnspiCu
Gus. He has been called upon man!
times to nominate candidates for office
and his efforts have always been singu
larly happy In one instance he mad
two nominating speeches i'm one day
placing before the people the candi
dates of his party for congress an,
county treasurer. Among his numer
Gus addresses before other bodies, no
of political nature, may be mentioned
that upon the subject Of the poor, thei
surroundings and care, delivered befor
the Poor Association Of Pennsylvania
in 1892, at which time he was eleCte
ViCepresident of that organization.
Another service of n public charaCte
for which he will long be remembers
was the removal of all toll-gates fror
the main thoroughfares between tn
cities Of Carbondale and Scranton.
took five years of legal warfare in tn
courts of his county, and the Suprem
, court at Philadelphia, but he was $
, persistent that the final victory wa
his and the chains We're taken dowI
As another evidence of his wide actiV
. ity and the esteem in which he is helC
E we may state that on October 2, lS9
he was appointed professor or instruC
tor of criminal law at the branch
the Dickinson School of Law, whic
opened in st, Thomas College,
Scranton, on that date. He is also or
of the directors Of the Bar Assoclatio
\ of Lackawanna county.
. Concerning his private life we ma
d, add that on December 4, 1854 Mr.. JonC
was married to Lizzie Eugenia, daugl
ter OF Rev, Jefferson b. Kenyon, OF
= of the earliest resident pastors OF Il
v Baptist church of Blakely, who for
:, time was a member of the Blakely pol
board and also served as the first bu