James B. Jones
Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico
In office
January 1, 1943 – January 1, 1947
GovernorJohn J. Dempsey
Preceded byCeferino Quintana
Succeeded byJoseph Montoya
Personal details
Born(1886-09-24)September 24, 1886
Edgefield, South Carolina, United States
DiedAugust 9, 1947(1947-08-09) (aged 60)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Maud St. Vrain
​
(m. 1913)​
RelativesWilliam B. Travis (grandfather)

James Brooks Jones (September 24, 1886 – August 9, 1947), nicknamed "Jawbone", was an American politician from the US state of New Mexico. He served as the lieutenant governor of New Mexico from January 1, 1943, to January 1, 1947.

Early life

Jones was born in Edgefield, South Carolina, United States, on September 23, 1886.[1] His grandfather, William B. Travis, was the commander of the Texas Army at the battle of the Alamo.[2] Jones lived in South Carolina until he was 18 years old, when he moved to Wyoming and worked on a sheep ranch.[3] He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1912 and rose to the rank of corporal.[4] He then served in the United States Army from April 1917 to April 1919 in the infantry and became a first lieutenant.[5] He fought with the Army in World War I. After the war, he settled in Raton, New Mexico.[2]

Jones moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1920, and worked as a traveling salesman for a soap company. He earned the nickname "Jawbone" from the Spanish word for soap, jabón.[2]

Political career

In 1940, Jones was a candidate for lieutenant governor of New Mexico. He lost the Democratic Party nomination in the primary election to Ceferino Quintana. Jones ran again in 1942,[6] and won the nomination, defeating A. K. Montgomery and two other candidates in September.[7][8] He then won the general election.[1] Jones served two terms as lieutenant governor to Governor John J. Dempsey.[9] He served as acting governor for 268 days over 21 separate occasions when Dempsey was out of the state.[10]

Jones ran for a seat from New Mexico's at-large congressional district in the United States House of Representatives in the 1946 elections. He lost the race.[2]

Personal life

Jones married Maud St. Vrain, a grand-niece of Ceran St. Vrain, in 1913. They had four children.[1] One son, Preston Jones, was a playwright.[11] His other son, James Jr., was taken prisoner during World War II.[12]

Falling ill after losing the 1946 election, Jones moved to Hot Springs. He died on August 9, 1947, at the Methodist Sanitarium in Albuquerque.[2] He was buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetery.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "J.B. Jones Is Elected in New Mexico". The State. October 6, 1942. p. 13. Retrieved December 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "James Brooks Jones". New Mexico Historical Review. January 1, 1948. p. 74. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Former Columbian Seeks Office in New Mexico". The State. August 22, 1940. p. 14. Retrieved December 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "James 'Jawbone' Jones Dies After Long Illness", Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 67th year, volume 273, number 41, August 10, 1947, page 1. (obituary) (subscription required)
  5. ↑ "U.S. Veterans Bureau Form 7202 Index Card", "United States Government, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917–1940" database, National Archives and Records Administration, St. Louis, Missouri, available through FamilySearch. "Enl" is listed as "4/6/17" and "Dis" is listed as "4/25/19".
  6. ↑ "Jawbone Jones To Make New Try". The Santa Fe New Mexican. June 30, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved December 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "'Jawbone' Jones Is Winner". Clovis News-Journal. September 14, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved December 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Close Congress Race Takes Primary Spotlight". Albuquerque Journal. Associated Press. September 14, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved December 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 "Services Set For J.B. Jones on Wednesday". Santa Fe New Mexican. United Press. August 11, 1947. p. 1. Retrieved December 26, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Marin, Gordon P. (November 9, 1946). "Dempsey Absent from State 268 Days Which Gives 'Jawbone' Jones $9000". Albuquerque Journal. p. 1. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  11. ↑ Shirley, Don (April 25, 1976). "Regional theater has new hero". The Morning Call. p. F-2. Retrieved December 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Jawbone' Jones Son Is Prisoner". Albuquerque Journal. January 3, 1943. p. 3. Retrieved December 25, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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