Daniel Jones (minister) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Jones
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Jones in 1887
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| Born | June 30, 1830 |
| Died | December 25, 1891 (aged 61) |
| Alma mater | Willamette University |
| Occupation | Educator, minister, journalist |
| Political party | Republican |
| Religion | Methodist Episcopal |
Daniel Jones (born June 30, 1830 – died December 25, 1891) was an important leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church. This is a type of Christian church. He was also a teacher and a journalist. Daniel Jones made history as the first African American student to attend Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He served as a top church leader, called a presiding elder, in Lexington, Kentucky.
Early Life
Daniel Jones was born on June 30, 1830, in Reading, Pennsylvania. His parents were Henry and Catharine Jones. His father, Henry, had been enslaved in Maryland. He became free when he was 25 years old.
When Daniel was 10, his family moved to Philadelphia. There, he learned how to be a barber. Later, he started working on ocean ships as a sailor. Once, his ship docked in Charleston, South Carolina. At that time, slavery was still legal in South Carolina. There was a rule that Black people, whether free or enslaved, had to be indoors by a certain time at night. Daniel did not know about this rule. When a bell rang at 9 o'clock, he realized he was in danger. He quickly ran back to his ship and made it safely.
In 1849, Daniel Jones joined the California Gold Rush. He sailed around Cape Horn to California. He landed in San Francisco in May 1849. After that, he worked in gold mines in both California and Oregon.
Career and Church Leadership
Daniel Jones lived in Jacksonville, Oregon, for a few years. Then he moved to Crescent City, California, because he thought being near the ocean was good for his health. Later, he settled in Salem, Oregon. He was there during the Oregon Indian War. He managed to stay safe during that time.
In 1862, Daniel Jones got married. He and his wife had four children. Jones worked as a teacher in Oregon schools. In 1869, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Soon after, he was allowed to preach in the Oregon Conference. He then enrolled at Willamette University in Salem. He was the first Black man to attend classes there. In 1873, he was chosen to represent Oregon at a special meeting in Washington, D.C. This meeting was about Civil Rights for all people.
In 1873, Jones moved to Newark, New Jersey, to preach. He stayed there for three years. After that, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and then to Indianapolis. In 1878, he helped campaign for the Republican presidential candidates in Indiana. He was then given an important role as the presiding elder of the Lexington, Kentucky, district. He held this leadership position in the church until he died. He moved to churches in Paris, Kentucky, and then Winchester, Kentucky.
Daniel Jones was a delegate to the National Convention of Colored Men in 1880. This was a meeting for Black leaders in Nashville, Tennessee. During his career, he also wrote articles for newspapers like the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
Death
Daniel Jones passed away on December 25, 1891. He died in Winchester, Kentucky, from influenza.
