The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-16
Associate Justice Ira B. Jones
NATIVE OF OFNEWBERRY, NOW a CITL-
ZEN OF LANCASTER
Asa Lawyer, Legislator and Judgc-Hc
wins His Promotion by tho Faithful
Discharge Of Duty.
Anderson Journal.


Mr.. Associate Justice Ira B. Jones
is 45 years old, and the high posi-
ton he has attained has boen earned
by his own individual worth, integrity
aud high conscientious character. He
was born December 10Th, 1851, in
| Newberry, as stated by Mr. Thur
mond in nominating him to the Su-
preme Court, his inheritance was a
good name and honest character
With this solid foundation to build
upon, Mr.. Justice Jones ut an early
age developed character that has
not brought him political honor, but
which has stamped him rs man
head and shoulders with his fellow
citizens. His rise to high and
merited honor is but another illus
tration of tho adage "every man is
tho architect Of his own fortune" "
The early years of his life wore
spent in Newberry, where he entered
the Lutheran College there and
went through the sophomore class.
In 1868 he entered the junior
class Of Erskine College and grad
uated in the class Of 1870. Among
tho distinguished men in church
| ,,l ,4,4o ,,I,> ,u,.o ,,,on,bor, of ib;o
class was James Calvin Homphill,
editor of the News and Courier. At
Erskine College Mr.. Jones was n
member of tho Euphemian Literary
Society, in which he distinguished
himself as an orator and debater.
He was medal orator Of his society at
his graduation.
After graduation ho returned to New
berry and taught school two years in
that county and Edgeiield, studying
law in tho meantime. While in
Newberry he was associate editor of
the Herald of that town. He was
/ admitted to the bar when 81 years
old and since that time has followed
his profession with zeal and success,
as is evidenced by bis elevation to
one of the highest and most respon-
ible positions in the gift of the peo-
pie.
In the fall Of 1871 Mr.. Justice
Jones removed to Lancaster and has
since resided in that town. 1t was
then town without railroad or
telegraph facilities, but there were
great possibilities open to an active
energetic young man. The town and
county were undevoloped, but rail-
road was heading towards Lancaster
from Chester. Mr.. Justice Jones,
then lawyer just beginning profess
ional life, induced by his cousin,
Capt. w. l.. DoPass, late of Camden,
cast his lot in Lancaster. When he
got thcre ho had ten dollars in his
pocket and no friends and acquaint-
ances. He had energy and pluck,
however, which ften count for
moro than dollars, and always bring
them in.
AS a lawyer no has been at the
! Lo,l cr tLo ,>,oco.c;pp in tho St0tp
In recent years his services were
largely in demand by tho State.
In tho celebrated cases IN reference
to the railroad taxes, which Gov
ernor Tillman pushed SO vigorously,
Judge Jones was chief counsel of tho
Attorney General From tho in
ception of tho railroad tax cases his
advice was always most valuable,
and it is generally conceded that the
victory of the State in these casos
was largely due to his services as
assistant counsel.
Politically Mr.. Justice Jones has
always taken prominent part in the
affairs of tho State. In tho politi-
cal revolution of 1890 he showed
that his sympathies wore with tho
people as against the then "domi-
nant element" and ho was sont as q
member of the Legislature from
Lancaster. He Immediately to- =
prominent partin tho deliberations
Of that body and was appointed as
chairman Of the ways and means
committee and by common consent
was the acknowledged leaker of the
House. On the election of Speaker
IA (