David F. Jones Biography


	This biography appears on pages 349-350 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				DAVID F. JONES. 

	David F. Jones, of Watertown, is one of the leading druggists and 
chemists of South Dakota and in connection with his extensive drug 
business in Watertown maintains the only private chemical and 
bacteriological laboratory in the state. Mr. Jones was born in La 
Crosse county, Wisconsin, on the 27th of October, 1869, a son of John 
W. and Mary (Jones) Jones, both natives of Wales, whence they removed 
to Canada with their parents in pioneer times. Both families settled 
near London, Ontario, and Mr. and Mrs. John W. Jones subsequently 
became pioneers of Wisconsin. The father was a farmer in La Crosse 
county, that state, and afterward in Monroe county, where much of his 
life was spent. He passed away there when he had lived more than the 
three score years and ten allotted to man by the Psalmist. The mother 
is still living at the old age of eighty-two years and resides in 
Sparta, Wisconsin. The father was one of the most prominent men in his 
county for many years and was highly respected and esteemed by all who 
knew him. 

	David F. Jones remained at home until he reached man's estate and 
acquired his general education in the public schools. In 1893 he took 
up the study of pharmacy and was graduated from the pharmaceutical 
department of the Northwestern University at Chicago in 1894 with 
honors and the degree of Graduate in Pharmacy. In the spring of that 
year he came to South Dakota and located in Watertown, where in 
connection with his brother, E. M. Jones, he bought his present 
business. After two years D. F. Jones became sole proprietor of the 
drug store, which is one of the best in the state. He carries a full 
line of druggist's sundries and the prescription department is 
unusually excellent, the drugs being of unquestioned purity and their 
compounding being done with the greatest care. In 1895 a department of 
pharmacy was established at the State Agricultural College at Brookings 
and Mr. Jones was appointed to fill the newly created chair. In 1898 he 
was appointed by Governor Lee a member of the state board of pharmacy 
to fill a vacancy and his services were so eminently satisfactory that 
he held the office for fifteen years, being twice reappointed by 
Governor Herried, once by Governor Crawford and later by Governor 
Vessey. The chemical and bacteriological laboratory which he maintains 
in connection with his drug store is known over the state and many of 
the men who are now leaders in those lines of investigation served 
their apprenticeship under Mr. Jones, including the chief 
bacteriologist of the state of Michigan. His knowledge of the 
principles underlying the sciences of chemistry and bacteriology, his 
long experience in the work of the laboratory, his accuracy and his 
intellectual honesty all combine in making him not only an expert 
chemist and bacteriologist but also an able teacher of others. 

	He is one of the prominent members of the American Pharmaceutical 
Association, having held offices in the organization and also served 
for three years on the National Syllabus Committee which outlined the 
courses of study for colleges of pharmacy and examining boards of 
pharmacy of the United States. He is at present a member of the 
committee for formulating laws that will bring about uniformity 
throughout the various states. 

	Mr. Jones was married in February, 1896, to Miss Mabel E. Coe, of 
Barren, Wisconsin, a daughter of Clinton D. Coe, one of the prominent 
bankers of that city. To their union were born a son and daughter, but 
the daughter is deceased. The son, David F. Jr., survives. The family 
are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Jones has been 
superintendent of the Sunday-school for the past fifteen years. He is 
also a member of the board of trustees of the Dakota Wesleyan 
University of Mitchell. He is a republican in politics and has been 
actively connected with the local government for a number of years. He 
was appointed a member of the city council to fill an unexpired term 
and was subsequently elected to the office. He belongs to the Watertown 
Country Club and the Watertown Commercial Club, being in hearty 
sympathy with the efforts of the last named organization to aid in the 
business expansion of the city. He owns one of the finest homes in 
Watertown and is widely known as a substantial and highly respected 
resident of the city.