HON. M. H. JONES, a prominent lawyer of Miami County, who has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession for the past sixty years, was born in the District of Columbia in 1825. He acquired a good literary education, and after studying law and being admitted to the bar, entered upon the practice of his profession in Piqua, where he soon made a name for himself as an able attorney, which reputation he enjoys to the present day. For a number of years beginning with 1878, he was associated in practice with his son, now Hon. W. D. Jones, common pleas judge, which connection was continued until the latter was appointed by Governor Bushnell to the common pleas judgeship to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Judge Theodore Sullivan as circuit court judge. For the time of their association the firm enjoyed the leading practice in the city of Piqua and was regarded as one of the strongest possible combinations of legal talent. Mr. Jones's wife was born in New Hampshire in 1828, a daughter of Timothy Davis Wood, who settled at a comparatively early date in Miami County, Ohio.

Hon. Walter D. Jones, son of Hon. M. H. Jones, by the above mentioned union, was born in Piqua, Ohio, June 21, 1857. He was reared and educated in his native city, being graduated from the high school in 1872. After leaving school he entered the industrial ranks, learning the printers' trade and was for some time employed in the office of the Miami Helmet, of Piqua. He was also connected with newspaper in an industrial capacity for several years thereafter. While thus self-supporting, he had in the meanwhile entered upon the, study of law under his father's direction and in 1878 was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of the State at Columbus, Ohio. As already noted, his first professional experience was gained in partnership with his father, the firm being the leading law firm of its day in Piqua. Mr. Jones's appointment by Governor Bushnell to the common pleas bench, of the second judicial district of Ohio has been already noticed. In November, 1899, he was elected by the people to fill Judge Sullivan's unexpired term. He was also city solicitor of Piqua for some twelve years, being elected for six terms, and his administration of the affairs of that office gave excellent satisfaction to the people. He was a careful and methodical lawyer, always coming into court with papers well prepared. In his more elevated position on the bench he has won the character of an able and impartial jurist. Upright, honorable and painstaking, his decisions are the result of careful thought and a mind well stored and trained in all the fundamental principles of the law. He is also a man of literary tastes and an able writer, though hitherto he has made no effort to gather literary laurels. A prominent Mason, he has served as worshipful master of Warren Lodge No. 24, F.& A.M., and as high priest of Piqua Chapter No. 31.

Hon. Walter D. Jones was married, in 1879, to Miss Laura Harlow of Piqua. Mrs. Jones was born in Tennessee and came to Miami County, Ohio, with her parents, Rev. William D. and Kate (Tuttle) Harlow, when in her eighteenth year. Of this union there has been one child: a daughter, Laura C.