Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-John J. L. Jones
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
JOHN J. L. JONES, editor and proprietor of the Wakefield Advertiser. That "poets are born, not made," is an old and trite remark. The same might be as truthfully said of journalists, for the best of education and training, and even a decided literary ability, will not alone make a successful editor. There must be also a combination of shrewdness, tact, and other qualiities which for want of a better term, we call the journalistic instinct. The gentleman above named, possesses this in a marked degree, having in a few short years established for his paper the third largest circulation in Clay County. The sheet was established in 1886, and is a five-column folio, all home printed (the only one in the county), and is devoted to the interests of Wakefield and vicinity. It is independent in the field of politics, aiming to expose fraud and bad management on the part of public officials of whatever party.
Mr. Jones is a son of Richard L. and Bertha (Morgan) Jones, and is the elder of the two children born to his parents, his brother Richard being now engaged in mercantile business in Utica, N. Y. The Jones family came originally from Chester, England, our subject being of the fifth generation in America. His grandfather, Pomeroy Jones, was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was a native of Connecticut, and later resided in New York, following the legal profession. The father of our subject was also a lawyer, and was located in Oneida County, N. Y., for many years. He and his wife are now living near Philadelphia, Pa.
Mr. Jones opened his eyes to the light in Utica, N. Y., on Sept. 10, 1852. He was educated in the schools of Utica and the Whitestown Seminary, during his boybood. In his sixteenth year he did his first work in an printing office. Completing his education at the Madison University of Hamilton, N. Y., he again entered a printing office, spending some time as compositor of the Utica Herald. In 1872, he traveled Westward, and sojourned in Chicago for about three years, being employed as compositor, reporter, collector, etc., on various papers.
The next removal of Mr. Jones was to the Black Hills, where he went in 1875. Four years later he purchased an interest in the Phoenix, which was published at Wilmington, Ill., and retained connection with that sheet for over a year. He then worked on papers at Joliet, Ill., for a short time, and on March 1, 1880, became a resident of this city. His education had qualified him for the profession of pedagogy, in which he engaged upon locating here. In that profession he was principally occupied until the establishment of the Advertiser since which time he has devoted himself entirely to journalism.
At the home of the bride in this city, in October, 1881, the rites of wedlock were celebrated between Mr. Jones and Fannie J., daughter of John and Adeline Martin. The bride was born in Will County, Ill., and is a lady of high mental capacity and culture. The union has resulted in the birth of two children, Ira and Bertha.
Mr. Jones is a Democrat in his personal politics, though his editorial work is unbiased by party feeling. He has held the position of Assistant Postmaster of Wakefield. He has membership in the social order of A. F. & A. M., belonging to Lodge No. 208, Joliet, Ill., and Milford Lodge I.O.O.F. The mental ability and business energy of Mr. Jones are combined with a moral and social nature, which cause him to be regarded with esteem in the community, and it is expected that his journal will continue to be a power in Clay County.