William Allen Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Allen Jones
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| Born |
William Allen Jones
1831 Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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| Died | 1897 Barkerville, British Columbia, Canada
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| Nationality | American, Canadian |
| Alma mater | Oberlin College |
| Occupation | Dentist |
William Allen Jones (born 1831, died 1897) was a dentist and miner from Canada. He was the very first dentist to get a license to practice in British Columbia under their new dental law.
Early Life and School
William Allen Jones was born in 1831 in Raleigh, North Carolina. His parents were Allen and Temperance Jones. He had five brothers and sisters.
William's father, Allen Jones, worked hard to buy freedom for his family. He paid a large sum of money for them in North Carolina. Allen tried to open a school for Black children. However, they faced many difficulties, which led the family to move.
The family then moved to Oberlin, Ohio. William went to Oberlin College there. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1857.
Moving West and Mining
After college, William moved to California. His brothers Elias and John, who also went to Oberlin College, joined him. But California was becoming a less safe place for African-Americans.
So, in 1859, the Jones brothers moved to Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Many other African-Americans also moved there at that time. William and Elias soon went to Barkerville. They joined the exciting Cariboo Gold Rush as miners. John Craven stayed on Salt Spring Island and became a teacher.
Becoming a Dentist
The American Civil War ended in 1865. William and Elias went back to the United States. William continued his dental studies at Oberlin College. Elias decided to stay in the United States. But William soon returned to Barkerville.
William Allen Jones started his own dental practice in Barkerville in 1876. People called him the "Barkerville Dentist." He even got the nickname "Painless Jones." He advertised his dental services in the local newspaper, the Cariboo Sentinel. He promised "painless dentistry." He used medicines to make dental work easier for his patients.
At that time, dentists did not need a license to practice. So, Jones continued his work. But in 1886, the British Columbia government made a new law. This law, called the Dental Act, meant dentists now needed a license.
William Allen Jones quickly got his license on June 26, 1886. This made him the first person to get a dental license under British Columbia's first dental law.
Later Years and Legacy
William Allen Jones passed away in 1897 from pneumonia. He is buried in the Williams Creek Cemetery.
Today, Barkerville is a special place. It has been restored as a National Historic Site of Canada. You can visit Jones's dental office on the main street. It has his old dental chair and tools on display. His office was rebuilt in 1961. The British Columbia Dental Association helped by giving equipment and ideas for the exhibit.
