S. Frank Jones
Representing one of the old families of Grant County, a former newspaper editor and publisher, and for some time engaged in the Federal Civil Service in the Philippines, Mr. Jones is now Secretary of the Sims Glass Works.
S. Frank Jones was born in the old McClure homestead, located on the public square in Marion on June 8, 1869. His parents were Byron Horace and Rosetta (McClure) Jones. His father was born near Covington, Ohio, April 20, 1833, and the mother was born in Marion, a member of the old McClure family, which has been so prominent in pioneer history of this city, her birth having occurred in what was then the village of Marion, November 19, 1838. The marriage of the parents occurred April 27, 1864, and their two children are Orland Shunk Jones, born June 6, 1865, at Marion, and Samuel frank, whose name head this article.
Grandfather Daniel Jones was a surveyor by profession, and also a millwright, and his family history is very closely linked with that of the city of Jonesboro in the south end of this county. The father of Mr. S. Frank Jones was reared chiefly at Jonesboro, where he worked at the trade of jeweler, and later came to Marion and entered the employ of his cousin Robert Jones, who was at that time County Clerk. Robert Jones went to the war, and Byron H. Jones, as his Deputy, served out the official term and was then elected County Clerk. His death occurred September 7, 1892. His wife passed away on November 13, 1899.
S. Frank Jones received his education in the schools of Marion and was graduated from the high school class of 1887. He won an honor scholarship by his high school work and in the same year entered the University of Indiana, where he was graduated in 1891, having given particular attention during his college career to both clerical and civic subjects. On leaving college, he began his career as reporter for the Marion Leader, and followed that occupation for one year, at the end of which time he became city editor of the Marion Chronical. As city editor he made a successful record as one of the newspaper men of Marion, and was in that office from 1892 to 1900. During that time, he was elected secretary of the Republican County Central Committee, and was three successive terms chosen to the same position in 1894, 1896 and 1898.
After the death of his mother in 1899 Mr. Jones secured an appointment on January 30, 1900, to a position in the post office department at Manila, Philippine Islands. He arrived at Manila February 14, 1900, and was soon made superintendent of the dead letter office in the Island possessions. He has the distinction of having installed that branch of the mail service in the Philippines and made the first entries in the records of that department. Mr. Jones remained in the 'Islands for two years, and came home by way of the Suez Canal. After this interesting experience abroad, he resumed his newspaper work, and became identified with the Tribune, and then as associated with Mr. A. C. Alexander and Mr. George B. Lockwood in purchasing the Chronicle. Mr. Jones was given all the active management of this paper for some time, since his partners were otherwise engaged, Mr. Alexander as Secretary of the Indiana World's Fair Commission and Mr. Lockwood as Private Secretary to the then Governor Durbin. Mr. Jones was Manager of the Chronicle for three years, until he and Mr. Alexander sold their interests to Mr. Lockwood. After a short engagement with the Indianapolis Star, Mr. Jones became associated with his father-in-law, Andrew Schick, who had recently bought the Sims Glass Works, and he has since been Secretary of this important Grant County Corporation. The plant of the Glass Works is located at Sims, twelve miles from Marion, and it is considered among the industrial resources of the county as described on other pages of this work. Mr. Jones on February 16, 1904, married Miss Nelle Schick, daughter of Andrew and Rose (Schempf) Schick. Mrs. Jones was born in Bellaire, Ohio, July 27, 1875. Mr. Jones is an active Republican, and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Masons, and the Marion Country Club. Mrs. Jones belongs to the Presbyterian Church.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914