Jones was born in Penmynydd in 1860, the son of William, a peasant farmer and Jane.

He continued his education at Bangor Normal College and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth[3] He briefly served as headmaster of the Goginan School north of Cardigan, before working for the London School Board from 1879-88.

In 1887 he was excommunicated from the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church at Holloway for "advocating too advanced opinions as a Sunday school teacher."

[2][4] After developing an interest in politics while in London he sought candidacy in Anglesey, as a Liberal but was not chosen.

Instead, Jones entered the House of Commons as Liberal MP for Arfon in the 1895 general election.