Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/146

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\"IR(iXIA BIOGRAPHY

low whatever action was taken l)y this com- monwealth. When Virginia cast her lot with tlie Confederacy he enlisted in the Sec- ond Virginia Cavalry and served with honor during the greater part of the war that fol- lowed. When the Confederacy was dis- solved at .\ppomattox by the surrender of the gallant army commanded by the great r.ee, Mr. Jones retired to a farm in 1 Jed- ford county and with characteristic courage began the work of retrieving his own fallen fortunes. He remained on the farm until December, 1865. then located in Lynchburg and began his long connection with the busi- ness development and upbuilding of that city, also prostrated by the ravages of war.

He formed a partnership with his broth- ers-in-law. Richard T. and James W. \Vatts, under the firm name of Jones. Watts & Com- panv. and began business as wholesale and retail dealers in hardware. The firm pros- pered mightily, the partners working in closest harmony and with an energy, judg- ment and farsightedness that could only end in success. As the Lynchburg store became over-taxed, branches were established until Danville. Bedford City. Roanoke and Salem each had stores owned by the parent firm. operated as branches. About 1882 E. L. Bell and J. T. Jennings were admitted part- ners, the firm name becoming Jones. W^atts Brothers Sz Company. In June, 1887, the original founders retired from the firm which continued as Bell, Barker & Jennings.

After retiring from mercantile life Mr. Jones joined heartily in the movement then being agitated that resulted in gi\-ing to Lynchburg a large cotton mill, the first erected in the city. Mr. Jones is said ttt have origmated the project of erecting this plant, it having been borne in upon him most forcibly by repeated requests for char- ity that a source of steady employment should be i)rovide(l. He was chosen the first president of the com])any formed through his efforts and so interested and determined was he that the plan should suc- ceed that he kept daily watch over. the erect- ion and equipment of the plant during the two }ears required between inception and completion. During this period he con- tracted the ailment that caused him much suffering in later years, and linally forced him to relinquish his official leadership of the company to whose interests, however, he was devoted until the end of his days.

His ])ublic spirit and his executive ability was never more forcibly displayed than dur- ing the period of his connection with the cotton mill.

The activities mentioned, howexer, only indicate Mr. Jones' great usefulness, as he had other interests, in fact, nothing that was conducive to the welfare and prosperity of Lvnchburg but had his earnest support. .\ list of Lynchburg's enterprises would also serve as a list of his activities in the city, while outside ventures benefitted by his co-operation, wisdom and experience. For twenty years he was the honored and capable president of the National Exchange Bank of Lynchburg, and as a financier he firmly established the prosperity of that in- stitution. He was the first president of the Lynchburg Board of Trade and in that ca- pacity furthered the material upbuilding of the cit}'. He was largely interested in Vir- ginia coal mines, in fact, was one of the contributing sources of strength to that and many other industries of the state. He never forgot his own modest start in life and ever took a deep interest in young men, their hopes and ambitions. He aided many, now successful business men, to obtain their start in life, his purse, council and encour- agement being freelv devoted to the service of such as he deemed worthy.

He was a devoted Methodist and for nine- teen years was a pillar of strength to Court Street Methodist Episcopal Church, taking an active interest until health no longer per- mitted. His liberality is attested by stained glass windows of the most perfect art, pul- pit furnishings of costly design, given in memory of his two daughters taken from him when just entering youthful woman- hood. He was a liberal supporter and is credited with being the originator of the plan that brought to Lynchburg a branch of Randolph-Macon College system of higher educational facilities for young women, donating generously to the cost of the buildings now constituting Randolph- Macon Woman's College and aiding in manv wa\s to insure success.

After the death of his daughters he con- ceived the ])roject that for years lay closest his heart — the founding of a public library in Lynchburg. The plans for an imposing specially designed biiilding to be centrally located were drawn, location was partially decided uiK)n and the erection of a library