Los Angeles County
Biographies
MAJOR EDWARD
WADSWORTH JONES
A Los Angeles pioneer of 1882, when there was but little to presage the metropolis of today, Major Edward Wadsworth Jones bore his full share of the responsibilities in laying a firm foundation for future generations in Southern California. He was selected to serve as the first president of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce upon its organization and also was an ex-president of the Southern California Historical Society and a firm believer in the preservation of old landmarks and California history. Although ninety-four years of age when he passed away December 7, 1934, he remained to the last interested in the world’s work.
A native of New Hartford, Connecticut, Edward W. Jones was born November 28, 1840, of Puritan stock and was a collateral descendant of the founder of the Wadsworth Atheneum at Hartford, and also of William Williams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was educated in the schools of his native town and attended the University of Tennessee. At the outbreak of the war between the north and the south, responding to the call to arms, he served with the Second Connecticut Artillery for over three years with the rank of captain and later that of major. He was with the Army of the Potomac, in the Shenandoah Valley, and at Cedar Creek as commander of his regiment, which is shown by General Sheridan in his memoirs. He was breveted lieutenant-colonel for gallant and meritorious service. After the close of the war Major Jones settled for a time in Illinois, and from there went to Idaho and Utah, engaging in mining enterprises from 1871 to 1881. The company in which he was interested worked some rich silver mines in the Salmon river region, taking out nearly eight hundred thousand dollars. During this time there were two Indian uprisings in that country.
Major Jones made his home in Salt Lake City during the winters, his family being located there. This gave him opportunity to study the Mormon question closely. He spent the winter of 1876-77 in San Salvador in Central America examining mines. In 1881 he sold his Salmon river interests and spent a year in New York, coming to Los Angeles partly on account of his health. After traveling over the northern and central parts of California, Major Jones decided he would investigate the southern portion before permanently locating his family. He arrived in Los Angeles in August, 1882, coming by steamer from San Francisco. It did not take him long to grasp the possibilities of a great future for this section on account of its climate and the location of the city. Major Jones wrote his family at Oakland to join him here, and he established their home in the western part of the then small city by erecting a comfortable home. He at once entered heartily into the civic life of the commonwealth, being elected a member of the city council, and served in 1886 and 1887, doing his duty in every way to help develop the city along broad and secure lines. He was selected to head the first Chamber of Commerce here and also the historical society, and was interested in everything that had for its object the upbuilding of the city he had selected for his home, and this interest he never relinquished.
In 1863, in Washington, D.C., Major Jones was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Spencer, who was born in Illinois, and they became the parents of two daughters and a son who grew to years of maturity.
Transcribed 3-9-13
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: California
of the South Vol. V, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages
671-672, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2013 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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