Background
Jones was born in 1793, the son of Thomas Jones, a farmer near Llandeilo, Wales, and his wife Nancy. Jane was the daughter of John Mander of East Smithfield.
Jones was born in 1793, the son of Thomas Jones, a farmer near Llandeilo, Wales, and his wife Nancy. Jane was the daughter of John Mander of East Smithfield.
He became an apprenticed to a grocer in Carmarthen at a young age and his business talent lead to him being offered, at the age of 18, the management of a general store in Eglwyswrw, Pembrokeshire.
He later found employment with the firm of R. North. Nicholls, Wood Street, Cheapside in London. He migrated with his family to Hobart in Tasmania in October 1834 on board the Thomas Harrison. In 1849 Jones leased the "Jerusalem Warehouse" on the corner of Barrack and George streets and converted it into a two-storey shop.
This would be the main location of David Jones until the opening of the Elizabeth Street store in 1928.
Now a successful citizen of the colony, Jones invested in various other business interests, including as founding Director of Australian Mutual Provident Society in 1848. Jones was elected to the first Sydney City Council in 1842, serving only two years, and was later appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council in May 1856, serving until March 1860.
With the success of his business, Jones retired from active management in 1856. However he later returned to save it from bankruptcy, thereafter serving until ultimate retirement in 1868.
The second son of David Jones was Philip Sydney Jones (1836–1918), who gained eminence as a physician and was subsequently knighted.
The youngest son, Edward Lloyd Jones (1844–1894), subsequently succeeded his father in the management of David Jones. Jones died at his home in Lyons Terrace, Liverpool Street, Sydney, on 29 March 1873. He was buried in Rookwood Cemetery.