Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Jones, Lloyd
JONES, LLOYD (1811–1886), advocate of co-operation, was born at Bandon, co. Cork, in 1811. He came to Manchester in 1827, where he followed his father's trade of fustian-cutting. It was then a comparatively well-paid trade, exercised by independent workmen in their own houses. When there was some expectation of another Peterloo massacre, Lloyd Jones, like many thousands of others in the north, provided himself with arms, with a view to active resistance. He joined a co-operative society in Salford in 1829, and subsequently became the chief platform advocate of Owen's plan of village communities. For many years these views were vigorously opposed by the clergy, who regarded Owen's theories as immoral. Jones had a good presence and a fine voice, with readiness and courage in controversy, He was the best, public debater of his day, and was in more discussions than any other of Owen's supporters. When the chartist proposal of a month's holiday was put forward in 1839, with a view to showing practically the importance of the labouring classes, Jones was appointed to address the chartists of the Manchester district, with whom the strength of the movement rested. An audience of five thousand men assembled in the Carpenters' Hall, and five thousand were at the doors. After Jones's speech the project was abandoned. No sufficient provision had been made, and the dangers were obvious.
From 1837 to his death in 1886 Jones was officially connected with the co-operative movement, and had a chief part in its organisation and development. He largely contributed to political and co-operative journalism. He edited periodicals in Leeds and London, and wrote many pamphlets. Jointly with Mr. J. M. Ludlow, he wrote the 'Progress of the Working Classes' (1867). His 'Life, Times, and Labours of Robert Owen,' was published by his son in 1889. He was president of the Oldham Congress, 1885, the seventeenth annual meeting of the co-operative society. He was frequently appointed arbitrator in trades union disputes.
[New Moral World, 1834-45; Co-operative News, 1871, 1890; The Pioneers of Rochdale and Hist. of Co-operation in England, by G. J. Holyoake]