Eugene Wilson Jones, of the firm of Houseman & Jones Clothing Co., the fashionable tailors and dealers in clothing and gent’s furnishings, on Monroe street, Grand Rapids, Mich., was born in this city August 11, 1856, and is the fourth child born to Wilson and Elizabeth (McGraw) Jones, who were among the earliest settlers of the Valley city.

Wilson Jones and his wife were both born in New York, but their marriage took place in Chicago, Ill., whence they came to Grand Rapids in 1843, and here Mr. Jones engaged at his trade as carpenter and joiner, at which he was expert, working first as journeyman and conducting business later on his own account, until 1887, when he retired from active labor and is now living in ease and comfort at No. 104 Washington street. To his marriage with Elizabeth McGraw were born five children beside the subject, viz: Helen E., residing with her father; William H., vice-president of the William A. Berkey Furniture company, Grand Rapids; Charles W., with the Widdicomb Furniture company; Elizabeth, at home with her father, and Mary F., deceased. The beloved mother of these children, a most estimable lady, was called away May 4, 1898, in the faith of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Jones is also a member.

In politics, Mr. Jones formerly was a most active worker in the ranks of the republican party, with which he was very popular, and under its auspices served as deputy sheriff and city marshal, but on retiring from business he naturally withdrew from active participation in political work also.

Eugene Wilson Jones attended the public schools of Grand Rapids until fourteen years of age and then was employed for a year in a furniture factory; he next entered the clothing store of E. M. Kendall as errand boy, and, being quick of apprehension and quite observant of things in general, was soon promoted to the position of general clerk, then to that of salesman, and during the seven years he remained in this establishment became thoroughly acquainted with the business in all its details. His nest position was with Houseman & May, as salesman, and he filled this situation in so satisfactory a manner that, in 1882, he was admitted into partnership, and the firm became Houseman, Donnally & Jones, which continued until January 1, 1895, when the concern now known as the Houseman & Jones Clothing company came into existence the leading house in its line in the state of Michigan. This firm employ 100 people in their departments at the corner of Monroe and Market streets, carry a stock valued at $100,000, and besides its merchant tailoring, men’s and children clothing and gent’s furnishing trade, wholesale and retail, they make a specialty of manufacturing uniforms on a large scale.

Eugene W. Jones was united in marriage at Marietta, O., May 27, 1896, with Miss Effie Green, a native of Fremont, Mich., and now has his happy home at No. 237 South Union street, Grand Rapids, where they are surrounded by a circle of warm hearted friends, to whim they extend a general and generous hospitality.

Fraternally, Mr. Jones is Knight of Pythias; in 1898 he was elected exalted ruler of B. P. O. E. lodge, No. 48, having been an esteemed leading knight the previous two years, and in 1899 was elected by the grand lodge, at St. Louis, Mo., grand tyler of the grand lodge, for the years 1899 and 1900. He has, beside, been a member of the state militia for eleven years, has served as second and first lieutenant of company B., Second regiment, Michigan N. G., was four years on the staff of Gen. I. C. Smith, brigade commander, as captain and aid-de-camp, and one year, in the same capacity, with Gen. Eugene Robinson. Mr. Jones is also a member of the Lakeside club and of the board of trade, he is a director in the Michigan State Agriculture society and a member of the business committee. He filled the important position of chairman of the executive committee and

Treasurer of the Grand Rapids carnivals of 1897 and 1898, and both to a financial success. In fact he has been active and useful in all movements that have tended to increase the general prosperity of Grand Rapids, and that he has been competent to do so is evidenced by the fact that he has raised himself from a mere errand boy to a membership in the largest manufacturing concern in its line in the state of Michigan. He has ever been a gentleman in his deportment, is affable and polite to the poor as well as the rich, and well deserves the high position he has attained in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He is fully posted in the manual at arms, and is a drill master of exceptional ability in infantry tactics. In politics he is a republican, but, although one of the most popular men in Grand Rapids, has never sought public office.