Joseph Jones, 1887 - 1888

Jones was the youngest of five brothers from a distinguished Wolverhampton family. He was educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School and then apprenticed to Walton & Co, an internationally renowned Japanware manufacturer with premises in Garrick Street where his father was the foreman. He went into partnership with his elder brother John and together they established an industry new to Wolverhampton - a galvanising and corrugated iron business at the previously known Shubbery Works, in Walsall Street. He entered Wolverhampton Council in 1879, representing St George's Ward, and was an appointed member of the Sewerage Waterworks, Parks and Baths, and Free Library Committees. Jones advocated the use of the Free Library, was nominated chairman succeeding Alderman Walker in 1883 and was associated with the library for twenty-three years. He contributed £500 for the purchase of artwork for the Art Gallery and was a regular donator to the Free Library and other institutions. His interest in public health led him to hold a banquet attended by nobility, gentry, clergy and local residents for the opening of the Eye Infirmary in Merridale Road. The guests were invited to make donations towards the £1850 outstanding balance of the building fee. (The overall cost of the Infirmary was £12,247). Jones himself gave £500. He also took an interest in the hospital on Cleveland Road and the orphanage on Penn Road.

J Jones The Mayors of Wolverhampton Vol 2 (Whitehead Brothers, Wolverhampton)
WH Jones 1903 Municipal Life in Wolverhampton (Alexander & Shepherd) pp. 230-31
Photograph Index - Y1/JONE.J and Y3/COU/6