Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1912-09-26
In Memorium VIM. A. Jones.

seek no UlSDtI HUiiOi lilf.si liisAS Va PNJ
ing my last sorrowfui tribute to the
generous, fond, affectionate comrade
whose sudden demise we now mourn,
Whose sudden, unexpected and unpre-
pared leave taking has inexpressibly
shocked whole community.
With oppressive weight badges of
mourning shroud the home he made
happy, the place Of worship which ne
dignifed with his presence, the lodge
hall which felt his benign influence be-
cause he was his brothers. keeper
and his great heart went out to his
neighbors and his friends, and the sane
titled soil of Gods acre to which his
person has been consecrated.
A prince has fallen who stood with
power and majesty among his chosen
people. On this occasion it is meet and
proper that by solemn observance, by
sacred ceremony and song, by resolu-
tion and eulogy we commemorate the
life of the leading citizen of Iowa coun-
ty, William A. Jones, public benefac-
tor, citizen, husband, father, friend.
1t is fit that we render thanks to Pro-
violence for the eminent blessings be-
slowed upon us through the life of this
strong man as we know he lived it.
We mourn with the broken hearted
woman he called wife, for whom his
affection was as wide as the universe;
we mourn with his children and his
legion of friends Little can we the
living do for the dead. desire to
speak simply truthfully with most
generous appreciation yet with no idle
flattery of him whose death has brought
sorrow to US all.
Reared in the faith of his fathers, the
lessons of stern piety, sobriety, indus
try and honesty were early inculcated
into the fabric Of his being His devo-
ton to home, to the state, to the
church was faultless The judgment of
his Maker is necessary for the best of
what he did as well as the manner in
which he lived his public and private
life. 1t can be said of him that he was
man in the fullest sense of the word.
No sooner had this sterling citizen
graduated for the real battle of life
than he was called by reason of the
especial fitness for duties of large trust
which his fellow citizens recognized in
him Immediately to preside over affairs
of state How we'll | recall his first
visit to my home town soon after his
nomination as County Superintendent
of schools was then too young tc
! judge maturely but was a High Schoo
student and was learning and l remem-
Der his modest, quiet, dignifed and
amiable demeanor. He became a mem
Der of the state legislature and brought
to his Office such department that the
name w. A. Jones is a synonym for
honesty and sagacity. 1t is as Com
missioner of Indian Affairs, that | re-
member William A. Jones best, for
through him | secured an appointment
into the service and for seven eventful
years felt his interest time and time
again. We met frequently and his big
| heart was never better shown than on
one occasion at Washington, D. c.,
when a poor, sick, crippled woman
clerk, who had been absent from her
desk for several months, was saved
| through his influence from being dis
missed from the service because she
could not give full time and attention
to her position. He made the tasks of
the i'll and weary lighter, be settled
disputes by acting as umpire and plead
| ing for reconciliations, he gave en-
ployment to the needy, and it cannot
be charged in the least that for one
moment did he fail to give to his red
wards the most serious consideration,
kindness and attention.
There was in the man an inheritance
Of courage and he labored with patience
and ever without complaint. The good
that man does by such service as he
rendered can never be traced by the
cOnsequ ences but the inspiration of the
deed gives man cause to have faith in
men and helps in the publication of
souls instead Of staining them.
Most men desire at the time of their
deaths to give some good exhortation
that others may remember and be the
better for it. What a eloquent sermon
we read in the life of this man who
loved simplicity who gave his best
days and service in the interests of the
country, the state and his home people.
who never deserted the city of his
adoption but chose to establish his
home permanently among its citizens.
who treated his fellowmen with kind
Iess, with consideration and above all
with honesty and fairness.
Whose spotless home life and devotion
to home ties stands out in bold relief
against a sky line full of good deeds
and riabta1us fft-Irfr His ,,-.... r,