Obituary
Some six or seven weeks ago his many friends in Benicia were
startled by the announcement that Rev. Fr. J. S. Jones had been stricken with cerebral
spinal meningitis in Reno, Nevada, where he was doing temporary service, and was taken to
the French Hospital in San Francisco so ill that his life was despaired of. His
strong constitution, however, resisted the power of the disease, and he lingered on from
week to week until hope began to arise that he might recover. This faint hope was blighted
last Saturday evening when the telegram came announcing his death.
Fr. Jones was born at Aurora, Nevada, on the 17th of March, 1865.
His father was one of the most extensive mining men in the State at that time. At an
early age the son expressed a wish to receive
holy orders, and in 1879 he was entered in the Dominican Monastery at Benicia. In
1888 he received the sacrament of holy orders, being ordained by Bishop Manogue, a
lifelong friend of the young priest's father.
Father Jones was one of the best known men in the Dominican Order
on this coast. His services have principally been in Vallejo, San Francisco and
Benicia. In each place his genial disposition, pulpit ability and musical talent won
for him hosts of friends. His last services were in Reno, Nevada, where he was
supplying the place of the resident priest, who is taking a trip to Europe.
In San Francisco Fr. Jones drilled a choir of young voices that
became known for its singing, which was so good that many people went to the early Mass to
hear the children rather than attend the late service, when the singers were all
professionals. By way of recreation and work Father Jones taught his young singers several
operas, which they gave in a most creditable manner and which were repeated for other
benefits. It was through the efforts of Fr. Jones that St. Dominic's church in the
city got its magnificent pipe organ.
