BIO: Benjamin Charles JONES, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ Donehoo, George P., Editor-in-Chief. Pennsylvania, A History, Vol. 3, Biography. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc., 1926, pages 15-16. _________________________________________ MAJOR BENJAMIN CHARLES JONES - A leading member of the bars of Philadelphia and Blair County, whose legal and business ability has placed him in the forefront among the active citizens of Pennsylvania, is Major Benjamin Charles Jones. Mr. Jones was born June 9, 1896, at Tyrone, Pennsylvania, the son of Claude Jones, who died May 3, 1924, in Tyrone, and of Stella Alice (Armor) Jones, a great- granddaughter of General Philip Benner, who served on the staff of Washingotn in the War of the Revolution. His father was a son of Colonel David M. Jones, and a nephew of Major C. S. W. Jones, both active in the fighting of the Civil War. Major C. S. W. Jones likewise commanded the Pennsylvania cavalry in the Spanish-American War. The Tyrone "Herald," interwoven with the Jones family for almost sixty years, was established as a weekly newspaper by J. L. Holmes and H. R. Holsinger in August, 1867. Major C. W. W. Jones bought the interest of Mr. Holsinger on March 17, 1868, and ran the newspaper for a short time in partnership with Mr. Holmes. The partnership was dissolved in 1869, and Major Jones continued as sole publisher until 1875, when A. L. Tyhurst became a partner and the newspaper was published by Jones & Tyhurst as editors and publishers for more than a year, when Mr. Tyhurst retired from the firm, and Major Jones continued in the business. In 1887, with his nephew, Claude Jones, as partner, Major Jones brought out the "Daily Herald." The "Weekly Herald" was discontinued in March, 1918, after an existence of fifty years, and its subscribers transferred their allegiance to the "Daily Herald." Major Jones died in 1905, and the Tyrone Herald Company, Inc., was formed with Claude Jones as president and editor of the paper. He continued to fill these offices until his death in 1924. He was a graduate of Cornell University, class of 1889; and was registrar and recorder of Blair County, Pennsylvania, 1908 to 1916. For twenty years, T. C. Smith has been general manager of the "Herald" establishment, with which he has been connected without interruption since 1881. He has filled every post in a printing office, being thoroughly familiar with the duties and requirements of each of the many branches of the business. To this establishment he has devoted his time, ability and his best endeavors, and the success of the "Herald" is attributable in no small measure to his efforts. The "Herald" always has enjoyed a comparatively non-fluctuating, ever-growing, liberal patronage. Its policy has been to do the right thing always. Its columns contain the most trustworthy and readable news obtainable, never permitting sensational journalism to gain a foot-hold therein. In politics it ever has been Republican. In connection with the newspaper, the "Herald" has conducted a high-class, up-to-date job printing establishment, where for many years religious, high school, seminary and other similar publications have been printed. It has specialized also in fine commercial printing, employing only competent persons, and paying a little more than the average wage. Labor troubles have been unknown owing to the application of the Golden Rule since the beginning of the paper. The "Herald" is the oldest established business in Tyrone. Benjamin Charles Jones, president of the Herald Company, was graduated from the Tyrone High School in 1912; from the University of Princeton in 1916 with the degree of Doctor of Literature; front the University of Paris, France, in 1919; and from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1921 with the degree of Doctor of Laws. He entered the World War as first lieutenant, and was soon promoted to be Captain of the 311th Machine Gun Battalion, 79th Division, after being promoted to be major and assigned to the 315th Infantry, 79th Division. He was in France in 1918 and 1919 and took part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, and the Troyon defensive operations. He was cited in Divisional and War Department General Orders for gallantry in action. Returning home, he engaged in the practice of law but also was active as an educator. He was instructor in Economics at the University of Pennsylvania in 1920: instructor in Law, University of Pennsylvania, 1921; Temple University, 1922; and Drexel Institute, 1923. He began to practice law in Philadelphia where he had offices in the Land Title Building; in 1925 he opened offices in Tyrone. Mr. Jones was a contributing editor to the "Law Review," in his college days and was active in the Phi Delta Phi Fraternity and the Hare Law Club. He is now a member of the Law Association of Philadelphia; the American Legion, the Princeton Club, and other social organizations in Philadelphia. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church and attends St. Matthew's Church of Tyrone. Mrs. Jones, his wife, is a Presbyterian. Major Jones married April 15, 1922, in Tyrone, Amber LaPorte Gardner, a daughter of Frank and Margaret (LaPorte) Gardner.