W. H. Jones was born in Monongahela, Penn., January 23,1848, a son of T. M. And Elizabeth Jones. He is a worthy and intelligent representative of one of the oldest and most prominent of the colored families of the city. Educated in the schools of his native town, there was developed in him a love for literary pursuits, a result of which is a library of excellence and value, and a well-informed man. In his early days Mr. Jones held various positions in the service of the Pittsburgh & Brownsville Packet Company, but desiring to go into business for himself he resigned and returned to his home, where he has, in various ways, rendered much service to his people and city. He has been to some extent been identified with the politics of his city and county, for several years serving on the county committee his services being recognized by his election as city clerk in 1887, in 1889, in 1890 and in 1892, a position he has uniformly filled with dignity and credit. In June, 1891, Mr. Jones was nominated by the Republicans for a county office (jury Commissioner), and at the succeeding election, was accorded a handsome majority, leading the entire county ticket. In 1871 our subject married, but was unfortunate in the loss of his amiable wife in 1889. Two sons, the fruit of this marriage, are living, the eldest, Harry, holding a lucrative position in Government service; the younger, Fred, a student in the schools of Brownsville, Penn. A barber by profession, Mr. Jones owns the finest equipped parlors in the Valley, doing a prosperous business; in addition to the offices heretofore mentioned, held by Mr. Jones, he is corresponding secretary and member of the board of management of the Western Pennsylvania Charitable Association, corresponding secretary First District S. S. Association, and for several years served as an officer in Company F, Tenth Regiment National Guards of Pennsylvania. He also is identified with Church and Sunday School work. Mr. Jones enjoys the respect and esteem of the community in which he lives, and is recognized as a man of ability, and a good citizen.

Text taken from page 492 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Larry Jones of Pittsburgh, PA as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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