Daniel Jones

Regions: Jefferson and Oneida Co., NY; Watertown, WI

From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 1894 - Page 32-36 DANIEL JONES. The Wisconsin National Bank, of Watertown, Wis., of which Daniel JONES is president, was established in 1865, and it must be admitted that it is one of the most notable banking houses in the State and that the men who incorporated it have long been known in the financial and commercial world as possessing in a more than ordinary degree the confidence and good will of the public. The practice of correct banking and the establishment of banks belong entirely to recent times. The first bank established in the civilized world was the noted bank at Venice, which was founded in 1177, according to some authorities; and upon the settlement of this country the colonists brought over with them the financial theories and practices which had prevailed in the mother country and established a bank in Boston in 1784. An article or treatise upon the representative business men and industrial concerns of Jefferson County, Wis., would be somewhat akin to a fiasco if it failed to take cognizance of the prominent banking house of which Daniel JONES is the president. There is undoubtedly no one department of enterprise which has been so powerfully instrumental in the developing of Jefferson County's prosperity as the business of the banker, and it is in the hands of such gentlemen as form the officers and directory of the Wisconsin National Bank that the calling under discussion becomes one of the most important levers for development in the commercial machinery of our country. Daniel JONES is a product of Goffstown, N.H., where he first opened his eyes upon the light of day October 31, 1815, but when still quite young he was taken by his parents, Philip and Hannah (JACKMAN) JONES, natives of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, respectively, to Jefferson County, N.Y., and a short time after to Oneida County, N.Y. The JONES family originally came from Wales, the paternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch having been born there. Philip JONES was a merchant and manufacturer during his early manhood, and the first woolen mill ever erected in the State of New Hampshire was put up by him at Goffstown. During the latter years of a worthy and well-spent life he gave his attention to the primitive occupation of man - agriculture - and was following this occupation at the time of his death, which occurred in Jefferson County, N.Y. He became the father of six children, but only two are living at the present time - Daniel and Mrs. Lydia M. BEEMAN, of Watertown. In 1843 Daniel JONES joined the western tide of immigration, and upon his arrival in Milwaukee he embarked on the mercantile sea, and was also for one year engaged in conducting the American House of that city, in company with a partner. In October 1845, he settled in Watertown, opened a mercantile establishment and his patronage was such that in 1852 the establishment was enlarged by the addition of a banking and exchange office, which was conducted very successfully for many years, during which time Mr. JONES laid the foundations of a thorough knowledge of the banking business. Under his directions the business finally became known as the Jefferson County Bank, and it was largely controlled by him until 1865, when business was discontinued, and he identified himself with the Wisconsin National Bank, which was organized soon after. His mercantile operations were continued in the mean time until 1864, when he turned his attention to the manufacture of woolen goods, becoming a joint owner of the woolen mills of Watertown which were operated several years under the firm name of S. FORD & Co., and later D. JONES & Co., this style continuing until 1877, when Mr.J ONES leased the mills to D. P. PRICE. Mr. JONES has also been very prominently connected with the transportation facilities of his section, first in regard to the plank roads of early days and later with the railroads, which owed much of their success to his determination, push and energy. The confidence felt in his judgment and capacity has found frequent expression among his friends and neighbors, by whom he has on various occasions been elected city alderman, chairman of the Board of Supervisors as well as to other offices of honor and trust. In 1875 Mr. JONES organized the Marathon County Bank of Wausau, became its president, and has since given his time and attention to his banking interests. He is a very prominent capitalist, is one of the wealthiest bankers of the State, and success has come to him as the reward of faithful application of just means to honorable ends. For many years he has been interested also in mercantile operations, in fact, is one of the most progressive, experienced and far-seeing business men of the State, and wherever his name is known it is the synonym of all that is honorable and upright. Although he is now in his seventy-ninth year he is yet hale and strong and gives every promise of many more years of usefulness. He has without doubt been a very valuable citizen to Watertown, and the good he has accomplished and the works he has reared will live after his body has crumbled to dust. He has seen Watertown grow from a small village to its present ample proportions, has aided materially in this growth, and has never aspired to office of any kind except to that which in his estimation would promote the city's interests. Politically he has always been a Democrat. He was married October 30, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth D. HARGER, a native of Denmark, N.Y., who died March 11, 1890. He has long been a member of the Episcopal Church, which he helped to organize in this section, has been a warden for about forty years and has been trustee of the funds and property of the diocese of Milwaukee for some time. Submitted by Carol