Military and political leader and Business Magnate. He was raised in Leicester, Massachusetts and entered the dry goods business. In 1854 he joined the militia as a Lieutenant. In 1861 he joined the Sixth Massachusetts Infantry as a Major, soon assuming command and receiving promotion to Colonel. He led the organization on its famed march through Baltimore and defense of Washington, DC at the start of the Civil War. Jones later recruited and commanded the Twenty-Sixth Massachusetts and received the brevet rank of Brigadier General in recognition of his commendable service. In 1865 he served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, relocating to Binghamton soon afterwards. He founded Jones Scale Works, later called Jones of Binghamton, becoming famous by not charging for shipping on new orders, with the advertising line "Jones Pays the Freight" becoming known world wide. Jones also served as Binghamton's Police Commissioner, a Regent of the State University of New York, President of the State Board of Equalization, and a board member for numerous colleges and charities. In 1886 he was the successful Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, serving until 1892. Jones was also a writer of fiction, including "Richard Baxter: a Story of New England Life of 1830 to 1840". His mansion in Binghamton still stands and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Military and political leader and Business Magnate. He was raised in Leicester, Massachusetts and entered the dry goods business. In 1854 he joined the militia as a Lieutenant. In 1861 he joined the Sixth Massachusetts Infantry as a Major, soon assuming command and receiving promotion to Colonel. He led the organization on its famed march through Baltimore and defense of Washington, DC at the start of the Civil War. Jones later recruited and commanded the Twenty-Sixth Massachusetts and received the brevet rank of Brigadier General in recognition of his commendable service. In 1865 he served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, relocating to Binghamton soon afterwards. He founded Jones Scale Works, later called Jones of Binghamton, becoming famous by not charging for shipping on new orders, with the advertising line "Jones Pays the Freight" becoming known world wide. Jones also served as Binghamton's Police Commissioner, a Regent of the State University of New York, President of the State Board of Equalization, and a board member for numerous colleges and charities. In 1886 he was the successful Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, serving until 1892. Jones was also a writer of fiction, including "Richard Baxter: a Story of New England Life of 1830 to 1840". His mansion in Binghamton still stands and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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