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NOTED NEGRO PHYSICIAN PASSES AWAY
Dr. W. H. Jones Dies of Pneumonia, Superinduced by a Fall
A YOUNG MAN OF MARKED POPULARITY AND ABILITY
Prominent in City Affairs and Universally Lamented-A Distinct Loss to the Town
Dr. William H. Jones, Harrisburg’s leading colored citizen and universally highly esteemed gentleman among both whites and blacks, died of pneumonia this morning at day-break after a short illness. He was a member of the leading medical societies of State, county and city, and aside from this took an active part in municipal affairs, being at the time of his death a member of the Board of Trade and prominent in the work of the John Harris Memorial Committee. He served in the School Board and was the unsuccessful candidate for Coroner against F. H. Hoy, Sr.
Dr. Jones’ illness dates from a fall of three feet on the slippery steps of the new Capitol, January 4th. In his efforts to save himself he so sprained his body so badly that his constitution afforded an easy setting for pneumonia, which developed a few days later and progressed with fatal rapidity. Though under skilful medical aid, the disease refused to yield and his illness continued critically for three days, when he sank rapidly and died this morning.
Many at His Bedside.
For hours after his death, his residence, 402 State street, where he died, was filled with friends of both races, men of prominent position, physicians and ministers, who came to pay their respects. His father and sister were with him when he died.
He was born in Snow Hill, Worcester county, Maryland, August 10th, 1860, and was the son of William H. and Esther A. (Smith) Jones, the latter being an expert in 1902. He passed his boyhood in Worcester county, under the training of his paternal grandfather, a man of high type of negro ancestry. His primary education was received in the public schools and he was prepared for college by a private tutor. His higher training was received at Howard University, Washington, D.C., after which he took a three years course in the medical department of the same institution. Determined that his preparation for his profession should be thorough and complete, he took post-graduate work in the New York Polyclinic Institute. He began his profession in Knoxville, Tenn., in 1887, but shortly afterwards came to Harrisburg, where he has resided continuously since then.
A Man of Prominence.
The high plane on which he lived, his active interest in affairs civic and the general popularity combined to make him a factor in educational affairs and he was elected to represent the Eighth ward in the School Board several terms. While serving in this capacity he was given important chairmanships and was always looked upon as a prominent member of the Board. The same intense interest he took in school affairs was demonstrated in his relations with the Board of Trade, and he was made a member of many committees, notably that of the John Harris Memorial. He was a member of the Methodist Lodge, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, and Chosen Friends Lodge of Masons. He was also a member of the American Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, the Dauphin County Medical Society and the Harrisburg Academy of Medicine. He at one time was president of the County organization. He was held in high esteem by his fellow practitioners and was everywhere honored and respected for his ability. And in this connection his patients were equally divided between members of both races.
He was unmarried. Surviving him are his father, William H. Jones, of Snow Hill, Worchester County, Md.; Georgianna Wilson and Milcah S. Haley, sisters of Snow Hill; William B. Jones and John David Jones, brothers.
The Funeral.
The funeral arrangements have not been completed, but his rector, the Rev. Leroy F. Baker, of St. Paul’s Protestant Episcopal Church, will officiate at the services, which will be held from the Jones residence. The interment will be made at Snow Hill. It is expected that large delegations of the various organizations of which Dr. Jones was a member, will attend the funeral and take appropriate action. To this end, Dr. H. L. Wolford, president of the Harrisburg Academy of Medicine, has called a meeting of that body for 8:45 o’clock at the Academy to take appropriate action.
One of the many pathetic incidents of the illness and death of Dr. Jones was the arrival here before his death of Miss Margaret W. Lewis, of Washington, D.C., his fiancée. She arrived in this city yesterday morning as soon as she heard of his serious illness, and from her arrival was a constant watcher at his deathbed. A special meeting of the Harrisburg Academy of Medicine will be held this evening at 8:30 o’clock to take action on the death of Dr. W. H. Jones.
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