Charles G. Jones

Charles G. "Gristmill" Jones was the seventh and tenth mayor of Oklahoma City. Jones was born on November 3, 1856 in Greenup, Illinois. Jones first arrived in Oklahoma City on January 31, 1890. The operator of the first flour mill in Oklahoma Territory, he won a gold medal for his wheat at the same world’s fair in Chicago that was later made famous in the book “Devil in the White City.” In addition to the flour mill, he was also instrumental in the building of many of the railroads connecting Oklahoma City to other parts of the United States. First elected mayor of Oklahoma City in 1896, he would be the first man to serve multiple terms as mayor after being elected again in 1901. In addition to serving as mayor he was also the first Oklahoma Fair Association president, and served in the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature where he was Speaker of the House in 1891. He would also serve later the Oklahoma State Legislature. The town of Jones, Oklahoma is named after him. Charles Jones died on March 31, 1911. He is buried at Fairlawn Cemetery.