Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-09-18
ROBERT H. JONES
86 TOMORROW
Well-Known Wilmington Business
Man Hale and Hearty at
Advanced Age.

Robert III. Jones, who attains his seth
year tomorrow, is one of the most highly
esteemed mon of Wilmington. He Is
known practically to every Wllmingtonian
who recalls him as oneof the most agreeable
and amiable of men. He was born in
1884 on the 10th Of September, at ll9
Market street, at that time the most de-
sirable residential part of the city. Almost
all above Third street then was open
pastures or garden lots with few strag
Cling stores stretched along Market street
TO supply the needs of the few thousand
people residing here. MIR. Jones attended
the private schools Of Wilmington until
he was l6, when he was apppentlced to the
firm Of G.. Il ]. Pyle TO learn the leather
business and he served five years at the
work until 1856 Two years later he
bought the business of Davis & Carter,
whose plant occupied the northeast
corner Of Front and Market streets, then
the most desirable Of Market street sites.
He remained seven years at this location,
moving in 1865 to n store at the northwest
corner of Second and Orange streets. The
next year he took partner and the busi-
ness was continued under the finn name
OF Jones & Richmann. m anufacturers OF
morocco and Sheepskin feathers.
In 1872 MIR Jones disposed of his in
terests in the big industry 70 his partner
and retired from active business.
Although not engaging actively In trade
since 1872 MIR. Jones has contributed
largely to the building Of the city He
employed his leisure and capital IN the
erection of homes and in various parts
of the city more than seventy houses
stand as testimonials TO his high ideals
e. = fob Ia
interiors His later days have been spent
looking after his realty and other interests
and IT may he mentioned that he IS re-
garded as the ideal landlord. for as some
of is tenants have conhded to Every
Evening. he escaped the lure TO resort to
the methods of the profteer at all times
Some confess to have lived IN his houses
for upwards of forty years and to have
escaped even the threat of the owner To
increase the rentals
Mir Jones has always been active IN
church work He has been member Of
the Board of Trustees of Hanover Presby
terian Church for % wears, and attends
the services, with rare exceptions, every
Sunday.
In 1867 he united with the Masonic order
and has been member of Temple Lodge
s.. wears and he is the last charter mem
ber OF Delta Chatter, No 6. Since 1872
he has been Knight Templar, member
of It John Commandery. As recently as
q few months ago he turned out In uniform
to participate IN the burial nit for an
old time friend Mir Jones never sought
nor held any official position In the order
but was always content TO serve In the
ranks of Masonry.
II is rare that one reaches his S5th year
free from illness, as is MIR. Jones expert
ence. Il his only other sickness, when he
was u wears old be excepted. About n
year ago, was attacked with pneumonia
which brought him so low that his physl-
cIans and attendants were confident that
the disease could OF be overcome. Despite
his wears he surprised his friends and as
sociates by taking his place IN the city S
activities again and since his recovery
has been III perfect health, enjoying the
companIonshIp of his friends, with occa-
sional trips to relatives or kindred m other
sections of the country.
Once asked as to what he attributes
his length of years and health. he quickly
asserted that he had always kept his
mind occupied with business affairs. or
with such thoughts as conduce TO good and
happiness.
Alr~JOncS fiare'fJSY neODIIluS anu JAI Y
Jopes, were amor the best known of the
early VI ilmii gton families. The father
accumulated a comfortable fortune for
those times and was cor spicuous In the
affairs of the community then Just grow
iDg out of a village into town.
In 1874, Robert II. Jones married Miss
Annie l.. Humphreys, whose family owned
all of the land in the vicinity of what is
now Bryn Mawr, Pa, Philadelphia S
richest suburb. The place III the earlier
days bore the name of HumphTeyville
after the family of its owners. Mrs. Jones
died in 1884, since which time MIR. Jones
has remained unmarried. A sister of Mr..
Jones died three or four years ago and a
nephew, " illiam A. McClary, passed away
within the last few months.
Mr.. Jones today is as active as most
men of sixty, possessed of all his faculties
in the full enjoyment of the blessings and
bountiess of life He illustrates more than
almost any individual of his contemporaries
the truth of the promise that love shall be
reflected in love" for all look with an
admiration on his affectionate helpful in
terest in all his fellow men that is reflected
back unto him s.n hundred fold.