LaFayette C. Jones, a native of Franklin county, Kansas, and one of the most enterprising young business men of Ottawa, is the successful proprietor of the Jones clothing store of that city. He was born in Peoria, Kan., March 21, 1877, to James and Elizabeth (Coburn) Jones, the former a native of Missouri, who came to Kansas when a young man with his father, Abner L. Jones, a pioneer settler in Franklin county, where he entered a tract of wild unimproved land and developed it into a most desirable homestead which continued to be his residence until his death. Abner L. Jones owned and operated one of the first sawmills in the county and in many other ways his name and deeds are intimately associated with the early history of the county. He was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in that faith he reared his thirteen children. James, the father of LaFayette, continued throughout life in the faith in which he had been graciously reared and became a very prominent and valued member of that denomination. He too, was an agriculturist and resided in Peoria until his death. The maternal grandfather, John Coburn, was a native of Scotland who came to America, settling first in Indiana and later in Peoria, Kan., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and where he died.

LaFayette C. Jones received the educational advantages afforded by the common schools of Franklin county, but at the early age of thirteen years initiated a business training by entering the employment of H. L. T. Skinner as a clerk in his clothing store at Ottawa, receiving a salary of $10 a month at the beginning of his service. The fact that he was employed in that store continuously for twelve years, or until Oct. 1, 1902, attests that he had the business acumen, energy and perseverance necessary for a successful business career. In 1902 the incorporated firm of Walker & Jones Clothing Company was formed, and January, 1905, Mr. Walker withdrew from the firm, the style of which became the Jones Clothing Company, with Mr. Jones as sole proprietor, which he has continued to be doing a constantly increasing business, Mr. Jones has been president of the Commercial Club, and is tresasurer[sic] of the Business Men's Credit Association. He is a Scottish Rite Mason, and member of the Abdallah Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

In 1898 he was united in marriage with Addie Bird, from near Homewood, Kan., daughter of Richard Bird, a gallant defender of the Union during the Civil war, whose vocation was that of a farmer and who resided in Olympia in latter years and died there. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have four children—Mabel, Lowell, Gertrude and Richard. Mrs. Jones and the children are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church of which she is a member.