Jabez Lones
Jabez Lones (c1840-1903) of Lones, Vernon and Holden
1903 Obituary [1]
JABEZ LONES died at his residence, Paxton House, Smethwick, on September 26, 1903, at the age of sixty-three years. He was one of the most conspicuous members of the finished iron trade of the Black Country, and was head of the firm of Lones, Vernon & Holden, the well-known iron and axle makers, of Smethwick.
At the early age of eight he commenced to work in the rolling mills of the Providence Ironworks, Spon Lane, where his father had been manager.
In 1860 he entered the office of a Birmingham firm of manufacturers, but did not stay there long, for his brothers, who had started in business as iron merchants under the style of Lones Brothers, induced him to take up the position of manager. In 1868 he was admitted to partnership.
A few years later Mr. C. Vernon and Mr. Edward Holden joined the firm, and the name was altered from Lones Brothers to Lones, Vernon & Holden.
He was appointed first chairman of the Coach Iron Work Manufacturers' Association. He was also chairman of the Axle Tree Makers' Association from its formation, and two years later he was elected chairman of the Staffordshire Unmarked Bar Association, being at the same time elected vice-president of the Birmingham Exchange.
He was associated with nearly all the public governing bodies of Smethwick, and took great interest in the old local board, the district council, which succeeded the local board, and the corporation, which followed the district council. He was largely instrumental in securing the charter of incorporation, and had the honour of being the Charter Mayor in 1899, a position he held for two years. He was also a member of the Staffordshire County Council, and was one of the first justices appointed on the incorporation of Smethwick. Shortly before his death he was chosen chairman of the Education Committee, and also of the Borough Licensing Committee.
He was elected a member of the Iron and Steel Institute in 1883.