California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
 
RICHARD D. JONES.  Beginning life under adverse circumstances, upon the lower rung of the ladder of 
attainments, Richard D. Jones, proprietor of the leading eating house in Santa Barbara, has made 
diligent use of his faculties and opportunities, and by untiring energy and close application to the work 
in which he might be engaged, has met with good success in his ventures.  He was born in Van Wert, 
Ohio, July 29, 1878, a son of Thomas and Ann Jones.
 
Brought up on a farm in Ohio, Richard D. Jones had very limited educational advantages as a lad.  
Arriving in Los Angeles, February 12, 1898, at the age of twenty without a cent he started at $20 per 
month at Van Nuy’s Hotel, filling every position to steward, serving there in the latter capacity for 
seven consecutive years.  Coming from there to Santa Barbara, Mr. Jones was here steward at the 
Potter Hotel for seven years, gaining much knowledge and a wide experience that has since proved 
most useful to him.  Starting in business for himself, he opened a cafeteria at 916 State Street, May, 
1913, and is conducting it with most satisfactory pecuniary results, having won a generous patronage 
among the traveling public and the city dwellers,  more especially among those people who recognize 
and appreciate prompt service, and cleanly, hygienic conditions. Mr. Jones is energetic and 
enterprising, and on July 20, 1915, enlarged his operations by opening a dairy lunch room in connection 
with a first class bakery, since made famous for its pies, cakes, bread, etc., which he is managing with 
characteristic success, his many customers being highly pleased with the good food served, and with 
the prompt and careful attention each one receives.
 
Mr. Jones married in June 1907, in Santa Barbara, Miss Pauline Keiser, and they have one son, Richard 
M. Jones.