Characterized by the same
energetic activity, mental vigor, and business foresight that distinguished
his father, Madison Ralph Jones, holds a high position among the leading
attorneys of San Francisco and the Bay Counties. He was born in Martinez,
California, December 15, 1872, the son of Hon. Joseph P. Jones, who was a
native of Owen County, Indiana, and was born on January 27, 1844. When he
was nine years of age his parents removed to Marion County, Oregon, where he
attended the public schools and afterwards entered the Willamette University
at Salem, graduating in 1864. In 1865 he returned to his native State and
attended the State University at Bloomington, where he graduated from the
law department in 1867. Returning to Oregon, he remained for a time, and
then located in the mining section of northern California, where he resided
until December, 1869. In that year he came to Martinez and entered upon the
practice of his profession and achieved success. He was appointed deputy
district attorney under H. Mills, and continued in this office until the
fall of 1875, when he was nominated and elected on the Republican ticket to
the office of district attorney, which office he held until March, 1878. In
the fall of 1880 he was elected to the Assembly and served at the general
and extra sessions of the legislature, being a number of the judiciary
committee, as well as chairman of the committee on federal relations. Mr.
Jones practiced his profession in Martinez with H. Mills under the firm name
of Mills & Jones for a long period. Mr. Jones was elected by the people of
Contra Costa County to represent them as superior judge, and served in this
capacity for thirteen years. His death occurred in January, 1900. Madison
Ralph Jones, the subject of this review, acquired his education in the
public and high schools, after which he attended the University of
California, graduating in 1895, receiving the degree of A.B. He graduated
from the Columbian Law School, Washington D.C., with the degree of B.L.L. in
1897. In 1900 he returned to Martinez and practiced law until he removed to
San Francisco, when he entered the law firm of Titus, Creed, Jones & Dall.
Mr. Jones served as a member of the State legislature in 1911. He was
married to Carolyn L. Oliver, of Oakland, February 12, 1908. To this union
have been born Madison Ralph Jr., Oliver Randolph, and Carleton Letts.
Politically, Mr. Jones adheres to the principles advocated in the platform
of the Republican party.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California,"
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, pp, 614-615.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, November, 2006.
HON. WARREN
BROWN
(Deceased)
Hon. Warren Brown
(deceased) was born in Morgan County, Illinois, June 19, 1826. His parents
removed to Platte County, Missouri, where he received his education. Mr.
Brown, with his father, the Hon. Elam Brown, started from Missouri for
California in the latter part of April, 1846. Elam Brown was appointed
captain of the train, and all went well en route until the north fork of the
Platte River was reached, when typhoid fever broke out and Warren Brown was
stricken. He was taken to Fort Bridger, where he was compelled to remain,
while the train proceeded. Mr. Brown's recovery was slow, but his health was
restored, and he took his departure from the fort on October 12th, and
arrived in Portland on December 9, 1846. Here Mr. Brown engaged in the
cooperage business until September of the following year, when he joined his
father in the San Antonio redwoods, where he remained until June, 1848. On
the discovery of gold Mr. Brown was one of the first to go to the mines.
After mining successfully on the American River, he returned to Contra Costa
County and, with his brother, the Hon. T. A. Brown, and N. B. Smith, opened
a general merchandise store in Martinez. In 1850 Warren Brown was elected
county surveyor. He resigned in 1853, and in 1854, he was elected to the
State Assembly. In 1869 he was elected sheriff, and served until 1871. For
four years he farmed near Martinez, and then purchased five hundred and
fifty acres adjoining his father's place at Lafayette. The Hon. Warren Brown
was married to Laura A. Hastings, a native of Ohio, October 16, 1854, and
her death occurred April 9, 1914. Warren Brown's death occurred on May 14,
1889.
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California,"
Elms Publ. Co., 1917, p. 615.
Transcribed and submitted by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.