William A. Jones (Assemblyman)

William Arthur Jones (September 7, 1844 – September 17, 1912) was a Welsh American immigrant, educator, businessman, and Republican politician. He was the 27th Commissioner of Indian Affairs, serving in the administration of U.S. President William McKinley. Earlier, he was mayor of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and represented Iowa County for two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Biography Jones was born on September 7, 1844, in South Wales. He moved to Iowa County, Wisconsin, in 1851 and settled in a Welsh immigrant community near Mineral Point. He was educated in the common schools there, then graduated from the Platteville State Normal School—now the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

After returning to Wisconsin, Jones was general manager of the Mineral Point & Northern Railway, and later was president of the company.

Personal life and family William A. Jones had at least two brothers. He married Sarah Ansley on October 22, 1881. He was survived by his wife and four children.