JONES, James Alfred, 1820-1894
Lawyer. Final Year, 1839.
James Alfred Jones, for so many years one of the leaders of the Virginia Bar, was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, and passed his early life upon an old plantation.
He was educated in the private schools of his neighborhood, and in 1836 entered the University of Virginia. In 1839 he was graduated therefrom with the degree of Master of Arts. After leaving the University he studied Law and settled in Petersburg, Virginia, to practice his profession. At that Bar, which has always been distinguished for its ability, he met Gholson, Joynes, Patton, Daniel, Robinson, Baldwin, and others. In course of time he came to Richmond and soon acquired a large practice. This consisted in the main of Appellate Court practice, where he stood in the foremost ranks of his profession. His mind was strong, vigorous and well trained. As a scholar his learning was not confined to the Law, but he drew from the fields of literature as well as from those of jurisprudence. Before Courts and juries alike he was strong and effective. His arguments were clear and simile. Among his brethren of the Bar he was highly esteemed for his courtesy and consideration. For years before his death he had retired from the practice, it being alleged by his friends to be owing to his disapproval of the Appellate Bench of his State, which had been changed in the vicissitudes of politics. He died February 26, 1894, leaving one daughter, Mrs. D. Gardner Tvler.
