Horace W. Jones

Horace W. Jones (July 29, 1835-June 2, 1904) was a University of Virginia graduate, officer on General Pickett's staff and teacher for 50 years.

Jones was born in Fluvanna County on July 29, 1835. Major C.S.A. (Pickett's Division, Chief C. S.)

Alexander Duke, of Hanover, in 1835 married Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Garrett. For some years he was connected with Rev. Pike Powers, and afterwards with Charles Slaughter, in conducting a high school at Midway. He was the father of Mrs. Horace Jones.

After the war, he move with his wife and sons to Ivy Depot. He established a school in Charlottesville to prepare boys for entering the University; among his many former students, know as the “Old Boys”, were Paul Goodloe McIntire and R. T. W. Duke, Jr. The “Old Boys” erected the monument that marks the Major’s grave. The school, know as “Major Jones’ University School,” was located on East Jefferson Street.

Major Horace W. Jones died at age 68, burial in Maplewood Cemetery.

SKETCHES OF THE DEAD

MAJOR HORACE W. JONES. JUDGE A. D. DABNEY.

Major Horace W. Jones, of the famous Pickett's Division, was born in Fluvanna County, Virginia, July 29th, 1835, of distinguished parentage.

In 1854 he entered the University of Virginia. The next year he began teaching the career he so long and so well adorned. When the war began he left his teacher's desk for the sterner task, and enlisted as a private in Company D of the famous Albemarle Rifles. His great executive ability and devotion to duty soon earned his commission, and he became regimental and then brigade quartermaster, with the rank of Major, on the staff of General George E. Pickett. In all the engagements of this fighting division, including that immortal charge at Gettysburg, Major Jones bore his part well and bravely with his characteristic sublime devotion to duty.

Immediately on laying down his sword at Appomattox, the faithful teacher again took up his book. He started a little school at his farm near Charlottesville. At first there were only six pupils, but as the number increased, he moved into the town, and soon had so large a school as to require help, and he formed a partnership with Mr. W. R. Abbott. Subsequently he moved to Hanover and taught with his equally famous brother, Colonel Hilleary P. Jones, at the celebrated Hanover Academy. Afterwards "The Major," as he had by then become affectionately known to all his "boys," returned to Charlottesville and opened the "Jones University School," which he continued with great success until a short while before his death on June 2nd, 1904.

Major Jones left a widow, formerly Miss Sue J. Duke, of that celebrated Albemarle family, and four sons and three daughters.

Few men have left a greater impress for good than Major Jones. Not only did he have the wonderful faculty of imparting his great knowledge to hundreds of our young manhood, but better still he left to them the precept of his sternly noble character, molded more perfect by the fires of war for the Lost Cause.