Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 214 - 215

G. W. C. JONES, County Attorney of Sedgwick County, is considered one of the ablest lawyers in the State of Kansas; he is a young man of more than ordinary talent, and has already made an honorable record in the legal profession.  He is a native of Nelson Province, New Zealand, born July 4, 1855.  He is the son of William and Mary (Poick) Jones, natives of Worcestershire, England.  In 1841 Mr. Jones emigrated from his old English home to the Island of New Zealand, where he was extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising for many years.  In 1869 he disposed of his possessions in that country, and coming to the United States, conducted the same business in Missouri that he had followed with success on his New Zealand farm.  In 1870 he removed to Crawford County, Kan., remaining there for a year, when he made another move, and came to Sedgwick County.  He became a pioneer of Union Township, and continued his residence there, engaged in his old occupation of farming and stock-raising, until 1881.  In that year he became a citizen of Wichita, and has since made his home here in retirement from the active duties of life.  He and his wife are people of sterling integrity, and are justly held in high regard by those about them; one son has been born to them, G. W. C.

      The subject of this sketch passed his early years on a farm, and in attendance at school, until he was fourteen years of age, laying a good foundation for his subsequent education.  He was but a lad when he accompanied his parents to the United States, and here he grew to manhood.  He was an active, intelligent, courageous youth, fond of exciting adventures, of which one, although it began auspiciously, became a tragedy before its close, and nearly resulted in putting a quietus to his own career.  The 1st of December, 1872, he, in company with a friend, George Howard by name, took three horses, a wagon, some blankets, and a plentiful supply of provisions, and started for a buffalo hunt at the head of Medicine Lodge River, in Kiowa County, Kan.  After their arrival at the hunting-grounds they met with good success, and filled their wagon with meat and hides.  One day while they were out after game a fire in their camp destroyed their blankets.  Finally they broke up camp and started for home, but when they had journeyed about half the distance, still having sixty miles to traverse, there arose a terrible storm of sleet and snow, and there being no settlements on the way where they could obtain shelter, they were obliged to abandon their wagon and its contents and proceed on horseback.  The storm increased in fury, and the cold became more bitter; this was on the 23d of December, and George Howard, nearly frozen and overcome by his intense sufferings, fell from his horse and died in spite of his companion's efforts to revive him. 

     After this sad and tragic ending of his friend Mr. Jones continued his journey over the snowy plains alone, with freezing face, hands and feet, and perhaps with the hourly expectation of meeting the same horrible fate that had befallen his companion, but with undying courage and determination he kept on the way, and at about 3 o'clock the following morning, the 24th of December, after traveling continuously for twenty-two hours with nothing to eat, he reached the longed-for shelter, and at Mr. McDonald's residence on Cowskin Creek, received kindly and much needed care.  On the noon of the following day he started on foot for the city of Wichita, and there his severe sufferings from his long exposure to the elements resulted in the amputation of his feet on the 9th of the following February.

      In 1881 Mr. Jones commenced to prepare himself for his profession by entering his name on the roll of students at Chaddock's college at Quincy, Ill., and was subsequently graduated from that institution, having completed the required course with honor, and was chosen valedictorian of his class, and on the 28th of May, 1882, was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois.  He returned to his home in Kansas, and in the following June was admitted to practice by the District Court of Sedgwick County.  He immediately entered upon the duties of his profession, and so rapid and honorable was his advance that he soon became widely known as a young lawyer of great promise, and when he was brought before the people on the 7th of November, 1886, as a candidate for the office he now holds, his election was an assured thing, and his majority of 889 votes over his Democratic competitor was the largest of any man on his ticket.  He, by the faithful and impartial discharge of the duties of his important office, has shown himself worthy of the faith put in him by his constituents.

      Mr. Jones was married, in 1877, to Miss Minnie A. York, the daughter of Charles and Eliza (Gilbertson) York, natives of England.  Three children have been born of this union-- Charles W., Frederick H. and Mary L.  Mr. and Mrs. Jones are prominent members of Wichita society, and their geniality and culture make their home a pleasant resort for their numerous friends.  Mr. Jones is one of the leaders of the Republican party of Sedgwick County, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.

[ Home ]