William P. Jones

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

This family is native to New Jersey, Caspar JONES having been born at Schooleys Mountain, Morris county, and being now a resident of Sussex street, Dover, having attained his three score years and ten. His wife was Mary E. SEAL prior to her marriage, and died in May, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. JONES were the parents of two children: John S., who died in childhood; William P., mentioned below.

William Peter JONES, younger son of Caspar and Mary E. (SEAL) JONES, was born near Hackettstown, Warren county, New Jersey, August 6, 1874, and has been a resident of Dover ever since he was eight years of age. He was educated at the public schools in his locality, and at the conclusion of his studies began his business career as a carpenter in the employ of Searing & Sharp, of Dover. He continued at this trade for a period of twenty-two years, doing his last work in this line for the firm of Pierce & Minez, and having been employed at various times in the cities of New York, Newark, Hoboken, Elmira, Buffalo, and other great commercial centres. His experience has covered practical shop work and turning, and he has done good work at the Edison plant in the capacity of mill wright; at Summit, New Jersey, he was foreman of the concern for a period of five years.

After this he became a member of the firm of Drake Brothers & Jones, continuing in the partnership for three months. He then decided upon going into business on his own account; and in 1908, with a capital of only fifty dollars, established himself in Dover in the line of contractor and builder, and has become one of the most successful men in the city. He has handled some very large contracts, and in the last year has covered some $52,000 worth of business; among these was the $20,000 contract for Paul GUENTHER, and many others of importance. For the past three years Mr. JONES has averaged a working force of eight men, having had as many as twenty at one time in his employ. Among these are men who have been in business with him from the time he first opened his establishment, and who are loyal and contented in his service. The business has continued to prosper and its growth in the last year or two has been so steady and in every way satisfactory that Mr. JONES commands at the present time a very comfortable income, owning his home and keeping an auto. He has considerable influence in the public affairs of the community, and though a member of the independent party in politics, has been held in such high esteem generally that he was elected a member of the council on the Democratic ticket. He is influential in fraternal as well as in political circles, and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Dover Lodge, No. 782; Randolph Lodge, No. 130, I. O. O. F.; Morris Lodge, No. 127, K. of P.; Morris Lodge, No. 86, J. O. A. M.; and the Royal Arcanum. In his religious faith Mr. JONES is a member of the Methodist church, of which his wife is also an attendant. She was Addie C. KITCHEN, of Hainesburg, Warren county, and they have one son, Albert R. JONES.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)