Born in Maryland and raised in Kentucky, Jones served one term in the United States Congress representing Georgia's 3rd congressional district, before resuming his careers as a planter and physician in Alabama as well as helped found two female seminaries before returning to Georgia.

During the American Civil War, Jones accepted a commission as a surgeon in the Confederate States Army, and postwar taught medicine in Atlanta.

[1] John William Jones was born on April 14, 1806, in Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland.

Their sons William, Newton and Leonidas and daughters Elizabeth, Tabitha and Louisa also lived in the household, as did 71 year old Winifred Rogers.

During the American Civil War of 1861–1865, Dr. Jones served as a surgeon in the Confederate States Army.