Bruce P. Jones
Mr. Jones was born in London and his early education was obtained in the schools here. In 1868 he graduated from the Miami University, Oxford, with degree of Bachelor of Arts. He studied law with John C. McCloud, and in 1869, was admitted to the Bar. He located in Ottawa, Kansas, where he won distinction as a lawyer and as judge, serving as police judge and as city attorney. Returning to London in 1875, he began practice here. He soon became highly regarded in the profession both as counselor and advocate. Was three times mayor, and is serving his third term as city attorney. His attainments reach beyond the law and in 1887, his alma mater conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. Mr. Jones is very popular, but is not married. He has therefore missed the endearing elegance of female friendship and the happy commerce of domestic tenderness.
From Madison Democrat 50th Anniversary, Published by the Madison Democrat, 1908
Bruce P. Jones, Mayor of London and attorney at law, was born in this village May 9, 1843. His father, Job K. Jones, was a member of the Jones family of the eastern part of Tennessee, where he was born November, 1811, and accompanied his father, William Jones, to this county in November, 1814. He located in London, where he resided till his death, April 4, 1877. At that time, he had 813 acres of land in Union and Deer Creek Townships, which he had owned for many years. He married Miss M. C. Custer, a native of Rockingham County, Va., who accompanied her father, Paul Custer, to this county about 1822. She died in January, 1874. They were the parents of nine children, six now living. Two sons were in the late war. Jasper enlisted in Company K (Capt. Hanson's), Ninety-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was taken prisoner, and confined in the Andersonville Prison, Georgia. After release, died at Wilmington, N. C. The other son, Berthier W., enlisted in Company D, Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in the hospital at Franklin, Tenn. The subject of this sketch obtained his early education in the London High School, and subsequently attended Miami University at Oxford, Butler Co., Ohio. He studied a term of five years, and graduated in the regular course in the class of '68. He commenced the study of law with Col. J. C. McCloud, of London. He was admitted to practice at the December term of the Ohio Supreme Court, in 1869, and to the United States Court, at Leavenworth, Kan., in 1874. He removed to Ottawa, Kan., and practiced five years with fair success. He was Police Judge two years, and City Attorney two years. In 1875, he came back to London, and has since practiced his profession. Mr. Jones has always advocated Republican principles. In December, 1880, he was appointed Mayor by the Village Council, and elected the following April to fill an unexpired term. He was re-elected in 1882 for a full term. Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and connected with Chandler Lodge, No. 138, of London.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]