James W. Jones

Who is James W. Jones?

Thomas Jones was a civil engineer born in Cowbridge in Glamorganshire, Wales who arrived in Adelaide, South Australia on 7 July 1840. He supervised rebuild of the City Bridge in 1843 and construction of the Port Elliot to Goolwa tramway from 1853 to 1856 and the Port Elliot breakwater, then remained as engineer and supervisor until 1871 when the work was contracted to one J. McGeorge. He was appointed Surveyor for Moonta in 1872 and works supervisor for the Peninsula Road Board in 1875. He designed the Anglican Church in Moonta. He was the founder of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows in South Australia.

One of his sons, T. Jones, succeeded him as Surveyor of Moonta.

Another son James W. Jones was a student at J. L. Young's Adelaide Educational Institution. He was soon working for his father on the Port Elliot to Goolwa tramway, for which his father received official criticism. He joined the State public service as a draughtsman in 1865 and was appointed Chief Surveyor then Deputy Surveyor-General in the Department of Survey and Crown Lands.