Santa
Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM H. JONES
Noteworthy among the leading
contractors of Santa Clara county is William H. Jones,
who for the past fifteen years has carried on a substantial and flourishing
business as a contracting plasterer. He has lived and labored in many parts of
our Union, served with praiseworthy bravery in the Civil war, and has a mind well
stocked with general information, and broadened by travel, and by contact with
men of all sorts and conditions. Of Welsh ancestry on the paternal side, he was
born May 10, 1844, in Cincinnati, Ohio, a son of William Jones. His
grandfather, Robert Jones, a native of Wales, removed to Ireland, settling in
Dublin, where he followed the cutler’s trade. In the later years of his life he
came to America and lived retired until his death, which occurred in
Cincinnati. Born and brought up in Dublin, Ireland, William Jones immigrated to
the United States, and located first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed the
trade of a plasterer. In 1852 he migrated to Illinois settling in La Salle,
which was his home for sixteen years. In 1868 he moved still farther westward,
going to Denver, Colo., where he was engaged as a contractor and plasterer for
a number of years. Returning to Illinois from there, he resided in Ransom, La
Salle county, until his death, in 1893. His wife, Margaret Jones, was born in
Dublin, Ireland, and died in Illinois. Of the eight children born of their
union, six survive. One son, Robert Jones, served as sergeant in the
Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and subsequently died in Warren, Ill.
The fifth child of the family
household, William H. Jones went with his parents from Ohio to Illinois when
eight years old, and was educated in the common and high schools. Leaning the
plasterer’s trade, he worked with his father until 1862, when, in August, he
enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was
mustered into service at Ottawa, Ill. His regiment was assigned to the Army of
the Cumberland, with which Mr. Jones was an active participant in many
important engagements, including the battles at Hartsville, Tenn., Chattanooga,
Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Dalton or Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca,
Altoona, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and
Snake Creek Gap. During the siege of Atlanta at one of the skirmishes near the
city, August 14, 1864, Mr. Jones was hit by a splinter from a log, receiving an
injury which caused him the loss of his left eye. Rejoining his regiment six
weeks later, he marched with Sherman to the sea, was with him when he took
possession of Savannah, followed him through the Carolinas, taking part in the
battle of Bentonville. After the surrender of Lee and Johnston, Mr. Jones took
part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., and in June, 1865, at Chicago, Ill.,
was honorably discharged from the service.
Going then to Warren, Ill., Mr.
Jones attended the state normal school for six months, and then resumed work at
his trade. Going to Omaha, Neb., in 1867, he was there employed as a plasterer
for a year. In 1868, before the completion of the railroad, he settled in
Cheyenne, Wyo., where he was a contractor and plasterer for a time. Going to
Colorado in the fall of that year, Mr. Jones took the contract for plastering
the Teller house in Central City, and remained in that place until 1871, when
he removed to Denver. In 1875 he located in Georgetown, Colo., and continued
there as a contractor and plasterer for six years. From 1881 to 1883 he worked
at his trade in Boulder, Colo., and then removed to Silver City, New Mex.,
being there during the Indian troubles, on one occasion being chased by the
savages, but escaping from them unharmed. During the years that he resided in
Colorado and New Mexico he was interested in mines and mining. Coming to the
Pacific coast in January, 1888, Mr. Jones spent six months in San Diego, and
then went to Grays Harbor, Wash., where he remained a few months. Returning to
California in February, 1889, Mr. Jones located in San Jose as a contractor and
plasterer, and as such has since assisted in the building of many of the finest
residences and business houses of this city and of the county. At. No. 1045
Vine street he erected his own residence, which is attractive and pleasant.
At White Oak Springs, Wis., Mr.
Jones married Maggie Coffee, a native of that place, and they have one child,
Albert L., a graduate of the first class of the Leland Stanford, Jr.,
University, and now professor of mathematics at the state normal school in
Madison, S. Dak. (sic) In
politics Mr. Jones is a zealous supporter of the principles of the Republican
party. He is a prominent member of Phil Sheridan Post No. 7, G. A. R., which he
served as commander in 1898 and 1899. He has also filled other positions of
importance, having been aide de camp on the staff of Department Commander
Stone. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Episcopal Church.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1375-1376. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.