Thomas G. Jones

Who was Thomas G. Jones?

Thomas Goode Jones was an American Democratic politician who was the 28th Governor of Alabama from 1890 to 1894. Born in 1844 in Macon, Georgia and died in 1914 in Montgomery, Alabama.

Thomas Goode Jones was born November 26, 1844, at Macon, Georgia, to Samuel G. and Martha Goode Jones. He moved with his family to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1850 where he attended private schools. Jones also attended school in Virginia and eventually entered Virginia Military Institute. In 1862 he left VMI with the rest of his classmates to serve in the Confederate Army under Stonewall Jackson. Jones had an illustrious military career during the Civil War. He fought in many well-known battles in Virginia, including Petersburg and Spottsylvania, and was wounded four times. At Appomattox Major Jones carried one of the flags of truce.

Upon his return to Alabama the Confederate veteran farmed for a few years in Montgomery County. In addition, he continued studying law, a pursuit he began during the war, and was admitted to the bar in 1868. That same year Jones edited the Montgomery Daily Picayune. From 1870–1880 he was the reporter of decisions for the Alabama Supreme Court.