William Arthur Jones (September 7, 1844 – September 17, 1912) was a Welsh American immigrant, educator, businessman, and Republican politician. He was the 27th Commissioner of Indian Affairs, serving in the administration of U.S. President William McKinley. Earlier, he was mayor of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and represented Iowa County for two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
William A. Jones | |
|---|---|
 Likeness from The Watertown News (Apr. 24, 1895) | |
| 27th Commissioner of Indian Affairs | |
| In office May 3, 1897 – December 31, 1904 | |
| President | William McKinley Theodore Roosevelt |
| Preceded by | Daniel M. Browning |
| Succeeded by | Francis E. Leupp |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Iowa district | |
| In office January 7, 1895 – April 1897 | |
| Preceded by | John Montgomery Smith |
| Succeeded by | Bjorn Holland |
| 22nd Mayor of Mineral Point, Wisconsin | |
| In office April 1884 – April 1885 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Priestley |
| Succeeded by | John Montgomery Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 7, 1844 Pembrokeshire, Wales |
| Died | September 17, 1912 (aged 68) Mineral Point, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Graceland Cemetery, Mineral Point |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Sarah Cleary Ansley
(m. 1881–1912) |
| Children |
|
| Alma mater | Platteville State Normal School |
| Occupation | farmer |
Biography edit
Jones was born on September 7, 1844, in South Wales.[1] He moved to Iowa County, Wisconsin, in 1851 and settled in a Welsh immigrant community near Mineral Point.[2] He was educated in the common schools there, then graduated from the Platteville State Normal School—now the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.[1]
He went on to become principal of the Mineral Point high school and was elected to two terms as county superintendent of schools, serving from 1877 to 1881.[2]
He became involved in a banking interest with Alex Wilson, known as Wilson & Jones in 1881, and one of the founders of the Mineral Point Zinc Company in 1882. He remained associated with the Zinc Company until his death. He subsequently became cashier and vice president of the First National Bank of Mineral Point, and was associated with the bank until 1897.
During this time, he was also active with the Republican Party of Wisconsin and was elected mayor and municipal judge of Mineral Point in the April 1884 election.[1] He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly on the Republican ticket in 1894 and 1896. After the conclusion of the regular session of the 1897 session, he was appointed commissioner of Indian Affairs by newly-inaugurated U.S. President William McKinley.
Jones served as commissioner through McKinley's assassination in 1901, and continued as commissioner under McKinley's successor, Theodore Roosevelt. Jones resigned in July 1904 due to clashes over personnel with the Secretary of the Interior, Ethan A. Hitchcock, but continued in the office until the end of the year.[3][4]
After returning to Wisconsin, Jones was general manager of the Mineral Point & Northern Railway, and later was president of the company.[2]
He died at his home in Mineral Point on September 17, 1912.[5]
Personal life and family edit
William A. Jones had at least two brothers. He married Sarah Ansley on October 22, 1881. He was survived by his wife and four children.[2]
Electoral history edit
Wisconsin Assembly (1894, 1896) edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 6, 1894 | |||||
| Republican | William A. Jones | 2,829 | 54.71% | +9.15% | |
| Democratic | A. J. Doran | 1,925 | 37.23% | -10.23% | |
| Prohibition | George E. Plant | 324 | 6.27% | -0.72% | |
| Populist | Harvey Cushman | 93 | 1.80% | ||
| Plurality | 904 | 17.48% | +15.59% | ||
| Total votes | 5,171 | 100.0% | +4.07% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 3, 1896 | |||||
| Republican | William A. Jones (incumbent) | 3,263 | 61.21% | +6.50% | |
| Democratic | John Montgomery Smith | 2,067 | 38.77% | +1.55% | |
| Independent | N. H. Snow (write-in) | 1 | 0.02% | ||
| Plurality | 1,196 | 22.43% | +4.95% | ||
| Total votes | 5,331 | 100.0% | +3.09% | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
References edit
- ^ a b c d Casson, Henry, ed. (1897). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 680–681. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Tribute by Rev. M. Chase". Mineral Point Tribune. September 26, 1912. p. 4. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Badger Quits His Office". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. July 19, 1904. p. 3. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jones is All Right". Oshkosh Northwestern. December 30, 1904. p. 10. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sudden Death of Wm. A. Jones". The Montfort Mail. September 26, 1912. p. 4. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Casson, Henry, ed. (1895). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 681. Retrieved May 21, 2022.