DR. JOHN REYNOLDS JONES. M.D.. WILLIAMS, RANDOLPH, COLUMBIA COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
Dr. John Reynolds Jones has been practicing medicine in Randolph for over twenty-five years and is one of the mnost prominent and popular physicians of that city. During his active years he built up a large and flourishing practice, his scientific efficiency and personal qualifications being known and recognized, but of late years he has confined himself principally to office work, having turned over the more arduous duties to his son.He was born near Bala, Wales, October 6th, 1851, a son of John Jones, whose birth occurred in the same section in April, 1808. The father never came to America, but died in Wales in 1864. In his family were six children. Eleanor, the eldest child, married David Jones and lived in Wales until her death, which occurred in 1909. She had two sons, one of whom is residing in South Africa, and the other is teaching in Bangor, Wales. Jane, Edward, Elizabeth and Margaret, the youngest members of the family, died of typhoid fever, two of them being buried in one day.
Dr. John R. Jones remained in his native country until he was nineteen years of age and his education was received in its public schools. Crossing the Atlantic in 1870 he settled first in Utica, New York, whence after one year he came to Evanston, Illinois, where he conducted a drug store during the winter. In the spring of the same year he returned to Utica and there became connected with the photographic business as an employe for Mr. Pillsbury. From Utica he went to Savannah, Georgia, and from Savannah to Liverpool, England, arriving in Liverpool, January, 1872. In the same year he went to Carnarvon, Wales, and was there employed in a drug store, having become an expert pharmacist in his youth.
Returning to America soon he settled in Racine, Wisconsin, in May, 1872, and there established himself in the drug business, conducting the fifth store of this kind in the city. This enterprise he managed for some time but finally sold it in order to take up the study of medicine. He entered Rush Medical College in Chicago, but completed his studies in the University of Iowa from which institution he was graduated in 1878, with the degree of M. D. For three months he practiced at Fox Lake and went from there to Fall river, Wisconsin, settling in that city, October 1st, 1878. There he remained until 1883 in which year he moved to Racine, and after two years in that city went to Emporia, Kansas. While in Racine, Wisconsin, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Wisconsin National Guards.
He was engaged in the general practice of medicine in Emporia, Kansas, until July, 1887, when he moved to Randolph and has followed his profession in this city since that time. His skill, knowledge, and efficiency are beyond all question and they have been proven by over a quarter of a century of successful labor and are attested by his popularity among his patients and fellow practitioners. A keen student of the underlying principles of medicine Dr. Jones has added to his technical knowledge the practical experience which makes it effective and his work is of a lasting and useful kind which is always the result of a life spent in the service of others.
On October 1st, 1872, Dr. Jones was married in Racine, to Miss Mary Ann Peate, a daughter of William Peate, of Wales. They became the parents of six children. The eldest son, Edward, was born July 8th, 1873, and died in September, 1874. He is buried in Racine. Catherine, whose birth occurred September 24th, 1874, married William J. Williams, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Arthur William is associated with his father in the practice of medicine. He is a twin of Otto John, born August 14th, 1876. Both live at home. The fifth child born to Dr. and Mrs. Jones is Mary Jane. Her birth occurred in January, 1881, and she is the wife of Edward W. Brandel, cashier of the Randolph Bank. J. I., the youngest child, was born in April, 1887. He is a graduate pharmacist, holding the degree from the State University at Madison and he passed his examination before the Wisconsin state board before he was twenty-one years of age. He is now in the employ of John S. Lightner, of Randolph.
Dr. Jones has now practically given up his extensive practice and has turned it over to his son Arthur William, who is associated with him. The latter attends to all calls and to the more arduous duties, his father confining himself to a small office practice.
Dr. Jones, although he is intelligently interested in the growth and development of Randolph, takes no active part in politics. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Knights of Pythias and is also prominent in the affairs of the Odd Fellows. He does not belong to any religion but states that "the world is his church." He was one of the early physicians in Randolph and has seen the village develop and grow. His work has been a factor in its progress and, although it has been of an unostentatious kind, it has brought him widespread popularity and well deserved success.