Serving the community was natural for Walter Edwin Jones. He was born in Benton City in 1876. His father, James Monroe Jones was a Confederate veteran. James was born in Blunt County, Alabama, to George J. Jones and Sarah Lauderdale, who was a Cherokee Indian. James Monroe 's family came to Texas before 1850. James Monroe had settled in Atascosa County by 1875. He donated the land for the historic Benton City Cemetery.
As a young man, Walter Jones taught at the Benton City Institute. He eventually married Sarah Elizabeth "Betty" Farris and the couple had two daughters and a son. Walter was appointed County Attorney in 1910, and the Jones family moved to Jourdanton. Walter served in that capacity until 1913 when he was elected County Judge, a post he held until 1916. As Judge he drew up the first charter for the first association of the Jourdanton City Cemetery. He also served on the first board of directors.
Walter Jones was elected to represent Atascosa County in the 39th legislature in 1925, serving one term, then he was re-elected to the 41st through 45th legislatures in 1929, serving until 1939. Betty Jones died in 1927 of tuberculosis and was buried in the Jourdanton City Cemetery.
Walter Jones stayed in Austin after retiring from politics, working as superintendent at the Confederate Home. In 1941, he died of complications following a car accident. He is buried next to Betty in Jourdanton.
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