This maker of woodworking machinery was established in 1890 by self-educated foundryman William Adrian Jones, and incorporated in 1904 as the W. A. Jones Foundry & Machine Co. They began manufacturing woodworking machinery by 1911, and likely earlier. Around the beginning of 1913, the company's woodworking machinery operations were spun off into a separate company, Jones Superior Machine Co. See that entry for subsequent history.

Information Sources

• An OWWM forum posting about a bandsaw with this name first brought this maker to our attention.
• Listed as a supplier of "Castings, Iron and Steel" and "Belting Conveyers" in a 1900 issue of Engineering Magazine: "WA Jones Foundry and Machine Co., 53-59 So. Jefferson St., Chicago." An 1899 issue listed then as a supplier of "Chain Belting", "Coal Mining Machinery", and "Contractor's Supplies", among others. No listings were found in 1894 through 1898 issues.
• The Book of Chicagoans, 1911, ed. by Albert Nelson Marquis, carries the following entry:

  JONES, William A., mfr; born Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Pa., Nov 23, 1849; son Nathan W. and Sarah E. (Gilman) Jones; largely self-educated; married LaSalle, Ill., May 23, 1872, Mary C. Baxley; children: Elsie May (deceased), Jessie E. (Mrs. J. E. Smith), Clara E. (Mrs T. A. Jones), Mabel A. (Mrs. J. Beeman), Marcia A. (deceased), Mabel A. (Mrs J. Beeman), Marcia A. (deceased), Sarah L. (Mrs. Ben Hamlin), Grace G. (Mrs. Walter Rabe), Warren G., Frankie B. Apprenticed to learn iron moulder's trade, Ottawa, Ill., 1886; advanced to foreman in shop before apprenticeship was finished; moved to Marseilles, Ill., where was foundry foreman for Marseilles Mfg. Co. 1876-1882; moved to Chicago to take position of foundry supt., which held until June, 1890; started foundry for self, 1890; incorporated Jan 1, 1904, W. A. Jones Foundry & Machine Co., of which he is pres. Also pres. Cold Spring Ranching & Market Co., of Kalispell, Mont., Sackett Screen & Chut Co., of Chicago, Pin Lake Assn. of LaPorte, Ind.; also has other interests. Ex-pres and life mem. Am. Foundrymen's Assn. Mason (33 degree), Republican, Baptist. Recreations: hunting, fishing, traveling. Residence: Pine Lake, Laport, Ind., and 2200 Warren Av., Chicago. Office: 1401 W. North Ave.

• The January 1913 issue of Popular Mechanics carried an ad for a bandsaw from W. A. Jones Foundry & Machine Co. The next month's issue carried the identical ad but from Jones Superior Machine Co. Subsequent issued carried adjacent ads for Jones Superior Machine Co. ("Superior Woodworking Machinery") and W. A. Jones Foundry & Machine Co. ("The largest line of Power Transmitting Appliances in the country").
• The April 20, 1922 issue of Best's Insurance News lists T. A. Jones of the W. A. Jones Foundry and Machine Co. as a member of an advisory committee.
• The 1922 edition of Who's Who in Chicago mentions Warren Oilman, president of the W. A. Jones Foundry & Machine Co.
• An article in the 2010-01-13 issue of the Herald Argus has an article about Mr. W. A. Jones. The article mentions his middle name (Adrian) and describes his colorful personality and his large gun collection. "After his death in 1921, the gun collection was bequeathed to the La Porte County Historical Society Museum, despite requests from the Smithsonian Institute".