Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 3199became well known among the astute and progressive members of the bar.He was the representative of important interests in many cases of litigation,and his worth and integrity qualified him for judicial position, so that he wasfinally elevated to the county bench, and was serving as judge of the countycourt at the time of his death, which occurred in 1898. He was also a memberfor several years of the Georgia Legislature and in each position demonstratedthe possession of abilities far beyond the ordinary. He was but forty-sevenyears of age at the time of his demise, and if his life could have been spared,he would no doubt have advanced to much higher office. As a citizen he washeld in the highest esteem, not alone by his professional brethren, but by thegeneral public, who appreciated his services in their behalf. Mrs. Jones, alsoa native of this, county, still survives him and is sixty years of age. Therewere four children in the family, namely: Paul Harwell, who is a residentof Albany; Mrs. James F. Mullen, whose home is located at Albuquerque,New Mexico; Judge Clayton, of this review; and Mrs. J. C. Keaton, a resident of Albany.Clayton Jones attended the public schools of Albany in his boyhood, following which he was sent to the Albany Academy, and later to the TechnicalSchool of Atlanta. He next took a commercial course at the Southern BusinessCollege, of Atlanta, Geo'rgia, and his legal studies were then prosecuted inthe University of Georgia, from which he was graduated in December, 1902.Judge Jones immediately began practice at Albany, where he soon attractedattention because of his broad knowledge of the law and the able manner inwhich he was able to apply it to the case in hand. His practice rapidlyassumed large proportions, and after he had served for some time in thecapacity of referee in bankruptcy, he was elected, in 1913, to the city bench.Since that time he has been twice re-elected, and continues today as one ofthe most efficient, faithful, learned and impartial jurists who have ever presided over the City Court of Albany. Judge Jones continues to maintain hismembership in the Georgia State Bar Association and the Dougherty CountyBar Association, and has many warm and admiring friends among his professional associates. He has unswervingly given his support in a political wayto the principles and candidates of the democratic party and wields a broadand strong influence in the ranks of that organization. Fraternally he belongsto the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, which he joined while attending the TechnicalCollege; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. With his family he holds membership in the BaptistChurch. In every respect he has been a progressive and helpful citizen, givinghis moral support and financial aid to measures which promise to contribute tothe general welfare and the advancement of good citizenship and education.Judge Jones was married May 3, 1913, at Albany, to Miss Mattie C. Bush,daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Bush, of this city, and member of a family longwell known and highly respected here, and they have one son: Clayton, Jr.,who was born March 13, 1915.DR. NOBLE JONES was one of Oglethorpe's friends, who accompanied theoriginal colony to America in 1732. In 1734 he was appointed surveyor ofthe plantation, and also held the office of constable. He was one of GeneralOglethorpe's active assistants in the excursions against St. Augustine and inthe defense of Georgia against the Spanish incursions. In 1851 he was appointed registrar of the province, and in the following year, when the trusteessurrendered the colony to the British government, he was appointed one of theassistants to the president. He held other offices, under royal favor, servingas stated on his tombstone in Bonaventure Cemetery, as '' senior judge of theGeneral Court and acting chief justice of the Province of Georgia; for twentyoneyears member and sometimes president of His Majesty's Council, andcolonel of the First Georgia Regiment." He died November 2, 1775, agedseventy-three.