Honoring Legacy.

The Final Resting Place of Many Jones Family Members.

The Jones family Cemetery is the final resting place of many family members across multiple generations, many of whom made meaningful contributions to the city of Canton and Cherokee County. Many Jones family members were buried here in this private cemetery established by R.T. Jones in 1880. Discover the many ways the Joneses impacted the founding and development of Canton commerce.

R.T. Jones

founder/developer of Canton

Robert Tyre Jones (known as R.T.) came to Canton in 1879. R.T. was born in 1849 and raised on his family farm in Newton County and was trained as a bookkeeper. The 1879 railroad expansion began to draw business interest to the area, and R.T. moved to Canton to start his business. RT was 30 when he moved from a farm in Covington to start his business in Canton.  He was known as a pioneer of industry and his business interests included the Canton Cotton Mills, Jones Mercantile Company, the Bank of Canton, and the Georgia Marble Finishing Works. His first investment in Canton was the mercantile business, which provided goods to families and businesses across the county. He famously known for keeping the mill running and paying his employees through the Great Depression, even though he was unable to sell his products.  In addition, R.T. served as mayor multiple times, was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and was a deacon at the Baptist Church.  R.T. helped establish Canton as a pillar of commerce and set a strong example of upstanding character.  R.T. is still considered one of the most celebrated and beloved founders of Canton.

  • Description text goes hereBusiness & Industry: R.T. Jones founded Canton Cotton Mills, a major producer of denim that became central to the city’s economy. He also owned the Jones Mercantile Store, which was the largest in Cherokee County.

    • Development: He was instrumental in building the Bank of Canton and was a key benefactor in early Canton community infrastructure.

    • Infrastructure & Legacy: The R.T. Jones Memorial Hospital (now Northside Hospital Cherokee) and the R.T. Jones Memorial Public Library in Canton are named in his honor.

    • Canton Golf Club: R.T. Jones Sr. built the 9-hole Canton Golf Club in 1938, which is often cited as being designed with the help of his grandson, Bobby Jones.

    • Family Connection: His grandson, the famed amateur golfer Bobby Jones, visited Canton for the opening of the golf course and was a frequent visitor to the area. 

  • R.T. ran the Cotton Mill during the Great Depression. Even though people around the country couldn’t buy the denim they made, R.T. still had his factory workers coming every day and making the denim and getting paid while the product piled up in storage. He wanted to keep his employees working and paid, so he did this at his own expense. 

  • With Susie Walker,

    • Robert Purmedus Jones- 1879 (father of golfer Bobby Jones)

    • Paul Walker Jones- 1881

    • Emily Foster Jones- 1882

    • May Reynolds Jones- 1884

    • Albert Vaughan Jones- 1886

    • William Green Jones- 1888*

    • Louis Lindley Jones- 1890

    • Susie Walker Jones- 1892*

    • Jack Walker Jones- 1894

    • Horace Edwin Jones 1896*

    • Ruth Jones 1899*

    With Lilly Coggins, after Susie Walker died,

    • Mrs. Clayton Reed

    • Mrs, John Wood

    • R. C. Jones

    • Tyre Jones

Notable Family Members

  • Paul W. Jones

    served as president of the Jones Cotton Mills, helped run the Marble Quarry, helped develop and oversee Canton Chevrolet, Cherokee Farm Products Corporation, Etowah Manufacturing Company, Jones Mercantile, and North Georgia Tribune. In 1907 married Mary Foute and had 5 children (Paul Jr, Sue, Foute, Tom and Mary)

  • Louis Lindley Jones

    was active in leading the Jones Cotton Mills and helped lead the mills successfully through the Great Depression. 1890-Attended Virginia Military Institute (Va Tech) then returned to work at the Canton Cotton Mills. Louis also played a part in Jones Mercantile and the development of the Bank of Canton. Married Jessie Pearl Turner in 1912. They had 4 children.

  • Robert Purmedus Jones

    was the son of R.T. Jones and Susie Walker. He was the father of Bobby Jones, founder of Augusta National.

Then & Now

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Then & Now 〰️

Much of the early development of the Jones family industry still exists in Canton today, but has been refreshed to meet the needs of today’s residents. R.T. Jones built businesses such as Jones Mercantile and the Canton Cotton Mills which are currently vibrant community hubs, providing co-working spaces, shops and restaurants. 

The Canton Cotton Mills

The Canton Cotton Mills were founded by Robert Tyre Jones in 1899–1900, were vital to Canton, Georgia's growth, producing renowned denim until 1981. Mill #1 is now redeveloped as "The Mill on Etowah," a 250,000 sq ft destination for dining, retail, and breweries at 225 Reformation Parkway. Mill #2 (built 1923) now serves as the Canton Mill Loft Apartments.

Jones Mercantile