Alfred Daniel Jones
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
3 July 1857
Alfred D. Jones | |
|---|---|
| Consul General of the United States, Shanghai | |
| In office May 6, 1893 – November 24, 1893 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph A. Leonard |
| Succeeded by | Thomas R. Jernigan |
| Wake County Treasurer | |
| In office 1885 | |
| North Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office January 7, 1891 – January 3, 1893 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alfred Daniel Jones 3 July 1857 Cary, Wake County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | 9 December 1893 (aged 36) at sea (on board SS City of Rio de Janeiro) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Alfred Daniel Jones or Buck Jones[1](July 3, 1857 – December 9, 1893) was an American politician who served in North Carolina and as Consul General of the United States in Shanghai.
Jones was born in Wake County, North Carolina, the son of Mary Elizabeth Courts and Wesley Jones.[2] His paternal grandfather was Nathaniel Jones who arrived in the area of what is now eastern Cary, North Carolina around 1775 and owned 10,461 acres, including his White Plains plantation.[3][4] His maternal grandfather was Daniel D. Courts, Esq.[2]
He studied law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[5] While there, he was a member of the Dialectic Society.[6] At commencement on June 7, 1877, he gave a speech about the importance of normal institutes called "The Teacher Must be Taught," receiving applause several times during the speech.[6][7] According to The Observer, he was "congratulated and complimented by a number of prominent gentlemen" after his speech.[6]
Career
Jones was both a lawyer and planter.[5] By May 1886, he had his own law practice in Raleigh, North Carolina with offices at the Court House.[8] He advertised that he could work in all of North Carolina's courts.[8] He tried his first case in January 1877—the State against C. C. Jewell who was charged with selling liquor without a license.[9] Jones demonstrated "skill and tact" as he questioned the witnesses.[9] He also made a "forcible speech" in closing.[9] The jury found Jewell not guilty.[9] The Raleigh Signal praised his performance, writing, "'Buck' has in him the making of an able and successful lawyer, and we doubt not that he will rapidly rise in the legal fraternity."[9]
Around March 1889, he joined Apex, North Carolina attorney Herbert E. Norris to create the firm Jones & Norris.[10] There offices were in over the clerk's offices in the Court House in Raleigh.[10] They practiced in State and Federal court in numerous counties, including Chatham, Harnett, Moore, and Wake.[10] They also advertised collections services and the negotiation of loans.[10]
In November 1880, Jones ran for the North Carolina House of Representatives as a Democrat.[11][2] His term began January 7, 1891 and ended January 3, 1893.[12][13] In November 1884, Jones was elected Wake County Treasurer, defeating his opponent John B. Neathery by 4,742 votes to 4,279 votes.[14] As county treasurer, he was bonded for $130,000—$66,000 from Wake County and $64,000 from the State.[15]
Jones was a member of the original Watauga Club which was organized in Raleigh in May 1894 by young professionals who wanted to look toward the future of North Carolina, rather than obsessing about the past.[5][16] One of their efforts was a successful campaign to create the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now North Carolina State University).[16] Other members of the Watagua Club included Josephus Daniels, Walter Hines Page (also of Cary), and William Joseph Peele.[16]
In 1887, Jones served as the chief marshal for the North Carolina State Fair.[1] In this capacity, he oversaw agricultural, domestic arts, fine arts, mechanical exhibitions.[1]
On May 6, 1893, Jones was appointed to the position of Consul General of the United States in Shanghai, China by President Grover Cleveland.[5][17] His nomination was supported by both senators from his state and Congressman Benjamin H. Bunn of his district.[18] He took up his office in August 1893.[19]
On November 24, 1893, he handed over the charge of the Consulate General to Vice-Consul William Delaney Hunter.[20]
