He received his education from the Reverend G. Wharton, vicar of Kinver, and learned the trades of architecture and surveyor.

Jenkins, Jones and a Mr Innes started a flax mill in Kaiapoi, but the business failed.

[1] In 1881, he was elected onto the Selwyn County Council as the representative for the Heathcote riding, and remained a councillor until his death.

His main contributions were a principal part in organising the Halswell drainage scheme and securing the Cashmere Hills domain as a public reserve.

There were several people interested in standing in the electorate, including the former Heathcote MP Henry Wynn-Williams,[2] but with Jones and the current Mayor of Christchurch, Aaron Ayers considered as the only contenders of having a chance of success,[3] most other candidates withdrew from the contest.

Hopkins was an active supporter of Jones for the by-election some seven months earlier and had proposed him at the 2 February nomination meeting,[4] but had developed policy differences with regards to the economic recession.

[11] Jones died on 8 September 1890 after several months of illness at his home in Lichfield Street, Christchurch Central City.

[12] On the day of his death, the House of Representatives adjourned their meeting for almost five hours out of respect for the deceased member.