Walter S. Jones, one of the extensive and successful stockmen of Coffey county, is a native son of Kansas, born in Osage county, Oct. 12, 1875. He is a son of J. D. W. and Mary (Griffith) Jones, the former a native of Wales and the the latter of Brooklyn, N. Y. J. D. W. Jones immigrated to America with his parents when a boy and settled with them in Ohio, but in 1871 came to Kansas and located in Arvonia, Osage county, where he bought a large tract of land and engaged in farming and stock raising. Through the able management of his farming and stock interests he prospered and became one of the substantial men of his locality, and at the time of his death, in 1900, owned a valuable estate of 1,800 acres. He became prominent, not only through business success but also as an active participant in affairs touching the social and public welfare of his community. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political views were those of the Republican party. His ancestors were Welsh, as were his wife's people, the Griffiths. Griffith Griffith, the maternal grandfather of Walter S. Jones, was a native of Wales and immigrated to America when young, settling in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he lived fifteen years, and then removed to Ohio, where he died at the age of ninety years. The paternal grandfather was for years a sea captain.

Walter S. Jones was educated in the schools of Osage county, but early began his independent business career, choosing the same vocation his father had chosen and in which he has been very successful. He not only raises fine blooded live stock, but also engages in buying and selling stock, handling from 2,000 to 3,000 head of cattle a year. He owns 1,320 acres of well improved land, an adequate tract for his very extensive business. He is a Republican in his political views and affiliates fraternally with the Masonic order.

On Dec. 1, 1909, Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Miss Olive Taylor, a native of Kansas and a daughter of S. R. Taylor of Emporia, known as a successful farmer and stock raiser of Lyon county. Mr. Taylor is also an honored veteran of the Civil war.