MTFCA Forum

Cyrus D. Jones was one of the wealthiest citizens of Scranton PA at the turn of the last century.


Jones along with his brother started the Grand Union Tea Company, that would expand with stores and sales throughout the country:


He also has the distinction, according to this 1911 article, of owning the two first automobiles in Scranton Pa:


We learn one of the two first cars, a Mobile, fell victim to a fire in the summer of 1901:


This 1901 “Mobile” sold at an RM auction


These were the first two Jones cars, with many to follow. Yes, there will be a Ford too.

In 1902, the Jones have purchased a Winton:


And by early 1903, they add another Winton:


In 1905, C. D. Jones has added a $6,000 Mercedes to his stable. In todays dollars, this Mercedes cost about $150,000:


With his growing fleet, C. D. Jones is building a stable and garage, along with quarters for his coachmen and chauffeurs, at his summer home at lake Aeriel:


For anyone keeping track, we’re now up to at least five cars by the end of 1905.

1906 is another big year of motoring for the Jones. We learn Cyrus has purchased a Pierce, and is in the market for a limousine:


Within a week, the paper reports the Jones have found their limo, a 45 hp Pierce Arrow:


Meanwhile, the Jones demonstrate their philanthropic side, contributing one of the largest donations from Scranton to San Francisco earthquake relief:


In June of 06, a tour of the Berkshires in their Pierce Great Arrow touring car (another one?);


Jones still owns horses and carriages, demonstrated by this article in which his daughter is injured:


I believe we are up to eight cars that we know of, half way through 1906.

The Jones son, Harry and his wife visit the summer home, driving his “big Pierce touring car,” of course:


During the fall of 1906, the Jones embark on a tour to Maine and the New England, driving their Pierce Arrow:


1906 is almost over, and the Jones are about to get serious regarding their new hobby.

I’ll be out for awhile, and back to this tonight.

Before 1906 ends, and into 1907, one more automobile for the Jones, an imported C.G.V:


Meanwhile, the Scranton Ford dealer Conrad Bros. places one of the largest orders for Fords for 1907, 50 Model N and 10 Model K:


In March, the Jones are vacationing in California, “enjoying many side trips in their Mercedes:”


Back home in April 1907, time to try a six cylinder Franklin on for size (thought it would be a six cylinder Ford, I bet.....):


I think we’re at around ten cars now, but it’s difficult to keep track.................

Why yes I did think it would be a Ford! ...Waiting for the next installment of this interesting story

Perry, I have to try to interject a little suspense.......

As it turns out, the Franklin doesn’t last long. In fact, less than two months:


Time to own a “real six cylinder car:”


Almost from the start, our Ford is upstaged. C. D. Jones orders the new 65 hp six cylinder Pierce Great Arrow, costing about $175,000 in todays dollars:


And on into 1908, and two more cars. The Jones are reported to now own five cars, buying a new Mora and Buick. I don’t know if our six cylinder Ford has made the cut into 1908:


Still during 1908, the Jones dispose of a Stevens Duryea. Cyrus Jones has owned at least 14 cars between 1901 and 1908 by my count.


Maybe this is where the expression “keeping up with the Jones” came from?

Really neat stuff!
I noticed a lot of those trips averaged more than a hundred miles per day! That may not seem like a lot these days, but in those times? Average traveling speeds for fast cars was usually below 20 mph due to road conditions. And wrestling one of those beasts for six hours can be grueling.

I found the Mobile Steamer information interesting. I already knew much of it, but about eight years ago at a Bakersfield swap meet, a fellow had very restorable remains of a circa 1901 steam car. He was quite knowledgeable about early steam cars and I spent the better part of an hour discussing them with him. He pointed out several details on the decent original body as to why it was not a Stanley or Locomobile car. Mobile was one of the marques he mentioned that he thought it likely was. The bodies for about a dozen different steam cars were built by the same company that made them for Locomobile. So that is why many of them look quite similar.

Wayne, thank you for the good info on Mobile and early steam cars. And I agree, early motorists often took on long journeys, sometimes covering one up to two hundred miles in a day.

The Jones continue to enjoy their automobiles through 1908, touring eastern states and attending the Vanderbilt Cup Races:


For 1909, Cyrus adds a six-cylinder Lozier to his stable:


The Jones again demonstrate their philanthropic side, donating the largest amount listed among Scrantonians to the Salvation Army, about $125,000 in todays dollars:


We’re drawing toward the end of this journey, and we will see Ford mentioned again, although the cars the Jones own and the new Ford Model T are moving toward entirely different spectrums of the automobile market.

I was wondering if a Lozier would be added to the list. There is a 1909 Lozier Sport Touring in the office building where I work. It's quite magnificent and was owned by Winthrop Rockefeller.

Mark, if you’d like, please post a photo of the Lozier at your office building. They must be an incredibly rare car. Thanks for posting.

1910 comes and goes. First with a “trip around the world:”


And we learn of two more Jones auto acquisitions:

At the end of 1910, the Jones family sail for the Holy Land, to be followed by a trip through Europe:


We’re ready for the last year following the Jones automobile adventures. Too bad the Jones automobiles aren’t all in one museum today, it would be quite a collection.

Rob, these are not great photos of the 1909 Lozier. They are in a locked glass room and the lights over the cars were not on. I did get into the room and up close but that was 25 years ago and I did not take pictures then. I mention "they" because there is also a 1916 HAL V12 Roadster. It was the only one of that model made in 1916. That end of the room was really dark this morning and there was too much glare to get a photo. If you are unaware, HAL is the initials of Harry A. Lozier, who was President of Lozier and the son of founder Henry Lozier. HAL only lasted a few years.

Thanks Mark, looks like quite an impressive car. Too bad it appears to be in a permanent mausoleum, but good it’s able to be “viewed.”

The Jones returned from their early 1911 five month tour of the Holy Land and Europe. They took an automobile and chauffeur with them, motoring through Europe. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to determine which car they shipped:


In July 1911, the Jones are again in the market for a new car. This time, they’ve gone back to the future, buying a Locomobile. You may recall the first two cars in Scranton (1901) were Mobile steamers, related to the Locomobile steamer of the time.


And an article involving both the Jones and Ford, although separate events. The Jones are mentioned touring with their Locomobile, while Ford and Frank Kulick are mentioned for Ford’s Algonquin Hill Climb results:


In 1916, Cyrus Jones reportedly sells his controlling interest in his business, including 200 stores.


Cyrus Jones was living proof, you just can’t have too many cars...........

Thanks - what a great history lesson and information.

Interesting connections between our cars and the changes happening in our world at that time. The extensive trips seeing the world in ways not previously as within reach. The automobile was the realization of the "flying carpet" of 1001 nights!
It seems so amazing how the newspapers of old would have so many mentions of who was visiting where, and for how long. All the doings, new automobiles, the sites seen. Maybe "social media" isn't such a new thing after all?

Thank you Rob for an intriguing tale!

When I read this story you have provided for us I think about the amount of time you invested. Wow.

Thanks guys. Wayne, I agree, cars must have been a game changer. The world was changing rapidly, with phones, well run railroads, an infant road system and conveniences like electricity and gas available in many cities. However, it’s good to remember, more than half the population lived in rural areas, and automobiles were an expensive novelty.

I enjoy the fact Ford’s Model K ran with cars costing twice as much, and more. I also realize the Model K was a Neanderthal. A “link” of the Ford line that contributed to the development of the Model T, but was resigned to a three year life span.

When I work on these “stories,” the location and newspapers are critical. Some newspapers and reporters wrote extensively about “motor cars.” Some newspapers, not so much. As a result, cities like Scranton and her newspapers reported extensively about the new fangled contraptions, and make it easy to document auto owners and their experiences.

Dave, yes, these stories are time consuming. Fortunately, it’s a labor of love. I hope you all enjoy them.

Take care,
Rob