Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-10-10

@ September II, 1912, while apparently in
V0S \ \ the full vigor of life WILLIAM A. JONES
w n died in this city at the age of SO years. He
~ born September, a. 1874, in South
Wales the of John and Phoebe Jones. AT the age
Of five years he came to Wisconsin with his parents,
who took up their abode in what is known the
Welsh Settlement near Mineral Point
He received the customary common school educa
ton, and later attended the state normal school at
Plattevie, from which he graduated with honor. The
formative period Of his life spent for the greater
part farm where early he acquired habits of in
dusry. In his boyhood he impressed with the
importance and necessity of being Industrious and he
learned how to work. The lesson forgotten.
After leaving the farm he became. principal of the
Mineral Point high school and subsequently
elected county superintendent Of schools for Iowa
county, and for many years most useful and
active member Of the board Of education Of the city Of
Mineral Point He manifested keen and active in
erest in the public schools of this city and county,
and in matters Of education generally up to the time
of his death
without solicitation his part he rendered
the position of cashier Of the old City bank and this
position he filed with credit until that bank merged
into the First National bank of this city He
made vice president Of the First National bank and
continued this position until 1897 when he resigned
In 1897 President Mckinley called him to the high
and important post Of commissioners Of Indian affairs
which office he held during the Mckinley adminstra-
ton and for time under the administration of
President Roosevelt. Before his appointment
missioner Of Indian affairs this high Office in the
hands Of politicians and office seekers The important
duties of this office demanded not politician, but a
plain. honest business man; and President Mckinley
in the selection Of Mr.. Jones acted wisely. 1t is
matter Of history that Mr. Jones the first Indian
commissioner who reduced the problems, business and
affairs of that department to wholesome and honest
business basis.
Mr., Jones mayor of this city, member of the
county board Of Iowa county, trustee of the Iowa
county asylum, member of the Wisconsin state
bly, from this county; and held various other positions
of public honor and trust; all of which he filled ably.
faithfully and conscentiousy and with the utmost
integrity and fidelity.
Public Office, however did not attract him. he pre-
ferred the quiet and congena life of the private citi
He loved to serve in the ranks. He admitted
to the bar but entered upon the duties of the
legal profession professional life did not appeal to
him. TO him business problems and business
delightfully."- congenial. It may be said with
dence if he had entered actively npon the duties of
the legal profession he would have been emnenty
successful and brought to the discharge of its duties
the same dignity, integrity, courtesy and honesty
which marked his whole public and private career.
W. A. Jones who kind to the
poor he was to the rich he courteous to his
servants ~ to his companions; he the
gentleman in his Office he at the banquet table;
he approachable in the factory at the mines
and on the streets, he Mt the club; he
attentive to the unearned and unettered he
the educated he was kind couteous generous, dgni-
fed. afectonate ~ he prominently big hearted
In his dealings with his fellowmen he fair and
honest; his open frankness commanded respect and
inspired confidence; he could not take unfair ad
vantage. His dealings in the open and above
board. He detested hypocrisy. He wasted time in
trihes; he accustomed to think and act in big
units.
He amassed great fortune but he died rich in
the confidence and respect of his fellowmen. He
doubtless made mistakes for who among is perfect
II he did anyone an injustice, it unintentonal if
he committed error, it the fault of the Judgment
and not of the heart,
In the life of w A. Jones there was contratlic
ton. nothing paradoxical. He a leader among
men, and by common consent accorded first place in
the hearts of his fellows. This is age of unusual
tivity, of strong men. Almost every communi
ty may justly point with pride to it's favorte
Great and good men have and gone and in this
leaders and GO and the void is quickly filled by
others; and it is seldom that Il community of any
siderable size will unite in concedng it's
citizens first and foremost place, The fact that
deceased friend and brother without dissent con