Biography: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: James V. Jones

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Submitted by Kathy Grace, <gendiva@charter.net> November 2004

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History of northern Wisconsin: containing an account of its settlement,
growth, development, and resources, an extensive sketch of its counties,
cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories,
biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers, views
of county seats, etc.
Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881 p. 1150-1151

Hon. James V. Jones, lumberman.  The subject of this sketch, a native of
Williamstown, Oswego Co., N.Y., was born Oct. 29, 1827, and is the son of
John and Florilla Jones.  His father was a farmer, and James V., the
youngest of five children, passed his boyhood in working on a farm, and
received only a very limited education.  Reaching manhood, he learned the
carpenter and joiner's trade, and worked in this way four years, when he
was married to Miss Mary A. Duncan, at Geddes, Onondaga Co., N.Y., a native
of County Kent, England.  In 1855, he moved to Wisconsin, and located at
Oshkosh, which has since been his home.  He came here without means, but
with qualities of heart and good traits of character, and these he directed
to build up an honorable career.  Ambitious, energetic, industrious, he
persevered.  For a time he worked by the day, and was forced to practice
the severest economy.  After a few years he engaged in business on his own
account as a contractor and builder, and continued so for several years.
In 1865, he formed a co-partnership with Hon. Carlton Foster, for the
purpose of engaging in the manufacture of lumber.  In this co-partnership
was combined vigor, enterprise and executive force, and rapidly the firm
took the lead in the manufacture of lumber.  In the fall of 1872, they
built the mill now occupied by Conlee Bros.  This increased their business,
and the product reached 6,000,000 feet of cut lumber per annum.  In 1876,
they sold this mill to the firm of Beach & Conlee.  In 1866, they had
purchased a small sash, door and blind factory from P.Z. Wilson, and soon
added and enlarged it, but in 1870 it was burned.  They then erected the
present sash, door and blind factory, and gradually added to its capacity,
and are ranked among the largest manufacturers in this section.  This firm
was the pioneer firm in the Wholesale manufacture of sash, doors and
blinds, having shipped the first car-load, and also having shipped their
manufacture by boat down the Mississippi River at an early day.  Mr. Jones
took a prominent part in politics, and was first elected an Alderman, and
afterward elected Mayor, and the only Mayor who filled the office three
terms, twice re-elected.  At the time of the Chicago fire, Mr. Jones was
Mayor of this city, and he telegraphed to the management of the
Northwestern R.R. Co. if they would furnish transportation free, the good
citizens of Oshkosh would furnish a car-load of food for the sufferers.
They replied in the affirmative, and through Mr. Jones's efforts the car
was filled, and was the first donation of food received by the authorities
of Chicago from Wisconsin.  In 1877, he was elected to the Legislature, and
served with credit to himself and his constituents.  In 1878, the
Republicans of the Sixth District nominated a candidate for Congress who
was ineligible.  His name was taken from the ticket, and Mr. Jones received
the unanimous vote of the convention.  It was but twenty days before
election, and not time for an active canvas, but Mr. Jones' popularity
secured for him 11,000 vote, but falling short of an election.  In the
Order of Odd Fellows Mr. Jones is one of the leading and most active
members.  He was a charter member of Winnebago Lodge of Oshkosh, No. 120;
has filled every office in this jurisdiction; also Past Grand Master and
grand Representative to the grand Lodge of the United States.  Mr. Jones is
one of the best representatives of the self-made men of this country, and
in his own person exemplifies the possibilities of well directed efforts,
combined with strict integrity.  He is public spirited, liberal, and a
leader in all public enterprises that will promote the interests of the
city.