Inventory of the Jones Family Langston University Collection SPC.2020.038
Karen Clemons
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2020-01; 2020-03
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Jones Family Langston University Collection
Creator:
Jones, Carold Alfonzo , 1911-
source:
Tuskegee Institute
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2020.038
Physical Description:
2 boxes
Physical Description:
.84 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1922-1935; 1953-1959; 1960; 1965; 1970-1973; 1984-1987; undated
Abstract: This collection contains mostly "The Lion" yearbooks from Langston University, as well as Jones family obituaries, and a memory
book belonging to Carold A. Jones that contains photographs of Carold and his family, friends, and high school classmates
in front of homes and other buildings, posing in front of cars and outdoors, portraits, and images taken at Langston University
including images of students in caps and gowns, and class photographs. Also included in this collection are souvenir programs
and flyers for plays such as "Oklahoma!", "Anna Lucasta", and "Lost in the Stars" as well as for events such as the 7th Annual
Cavalcade of Jazz and "An Evening with Belafonte"; issues of a few magazines; a Langston University calendar and brochure;
and an annual report and constitution from Tuskegee Institute.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
Biographical / Historical
Reuben P. Jones (1907-1988) was born in Boley, Oklahoma to Harrison Julius Jones and Daisy Sally Smith Jones. He had three
brothers: Harold and Carold, who were twins and born in 1911; and Harrison. He also had cousins, Clarence Love, Virginia Hopewell,
Mary Lee Bigelow, Louise Bratton, and William Brunner. His family moved to McAlester, OK., and lived there until Reuben was
about nine years old. They then moved to Langston, OK. Reuben attended Langston University High School, and four years of
college receiving a B.S. in science with a minor in mathematics in 1928. Reuben, along with his brother Harold, worked by
helping his parents deliver mail for Langston and Coyle Post offices; and also worked building houses, and waiting tables.
Reuben also drove the Langston University football and basketball teams to and from games; and also played the coronet and
alto horns in the band and orchestra.
Reuben was a teacher, who began his career in Oklahoma at the Perry High School for one year, and as a principal of Clearview
High School for two years before moving to Trenton, NJ. in 1932 to accept a job at Jr. High School #5. While in NJ, Reuben
took extension courses at Columbia University and obtained a Master's Degree. Reuben taught mathematics and science for over
thirty years at Trenton city schools, retiring in 1971, and was a member of the New Jersey Teachers Association. Reuben was
married to Mrs. Doshia Jones and later to Mrs. Yvonne Jones and has a son, Ray A. Jones.
Harold Alonzo Jones, nicknamed "Blue" (1911-1986) was born January 7, 1911. He went to school at Langston University receiving
an 8th grade certificate and high school diploma. In 1935, Harold received a B.S. Degree in Industrial Arts, and lived in
Langston until he was about 24 years old. In 1940 he received a diploma from National Technical Schools in Los Angeles for
Radio, T.V., and Electronics; and also received a diploma from National Radio Institute of Washington, D.C. for taking a correspondence
course. Harold owned a shoe repair shop, and taught shoe making at Boley Training School for one year prior to moving to Los
Angeles, CA. in 1936 where he worked for the Post Office as a mail clerk for a number of years. Harold retired from working
at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard as an electronic mechanic, and served time in the Armed Forces in World War II, receiving
a rank of Corporal. He was also involved in church and was a member of the First A.M.E. Church and usher on Board No. 1; as
well as a member of the 500 club at F.A.M.E. with his wife, Lora H. Jones. He was also a member of Langston University Alumni
Association, Delta Masonic Lodge No. 21, Consistory No. 26, Shriners Egyptian Temple No. 5, American Legion, and Twins Convention.
He was formerly married to E. Velma Henderson and Lavonia Collins; and married to Lora H. Jones at the time of his passing.
Carold Alfonzo Jones, nicknamed "Red" (1911-unknown) was born January 7, 1911. He was married to Selma Leona Hardy Jones (1912-1984),
a native of Oklahoma born to Mr. and Mrs. Warren James Hardy in Drummond, OK. Carold and Selma were high school sweethearts
who met at Langston University High School. Selma graduated from high school in 1930 and received a Life Certificate from
Langston University in 1932. She then started her school teaching career in a one room school house in Garfield County, and
the following year, started teaching elementary and junior high school at Booker T. Washington High School in Enid, OK. until
1943. Carold and Selma were married on November 28, 1936 and made their first home in Enid, OK. From 1943-1946 they worked
at Kaiser Shipyard in Vancouver, WA. and moved to Los Angeles, CA. in 1946. In 1947, they joined Ward A.M.E. Church and served
as ushers. They are both life members of the National and Local Langston University Alumni Association; and life members of
the Exceptional Children's Opportunity School where they also served on the board of directors.
Sources "Reuben P. Jones; taught 30 years in Trenton schools" clipping; Reuben P. Jones, Selma H. Jones, and Harold A. Jones
obituaries located in Box 1, Folder 2, Jones Family collection, SPC. 2020.038.
Scope and Contents
The Jones Family Langston University Collection (1922-1935; 1953-1959; 1960; 1965; 1970-1973; 1984-1987; undated) contains
.84 linear feet and two boxes of mostly "The Lion" Langston University yearbooks, as well as obituaries, a memory book of
poems and photographs, and a few souvenir programs, flyers, and magazine issues. The memory book contains poems presumably
written by Carold and some of his friends, as well as notes and signatures from friends, classmates, and teachers. The memory
book also contains black-and-white photographs of Carold and his family including his brothers, parents, cousins, and aunts;
as well as images of his friends, classmates, and teachers from Langston University. This collection also has obituaries for
Reuben P. Jones, Harold A. Jones, and Selma Jones; and seven yearbooks from Langston University- the only historically black
college or university (HBCU) in Oklahoma. Finally, this collecion includes a few souvenir programs and flyers for plays such
as "Oklahoma!", "Anna Lucasta", and "Lost in the Stars" as well as for events such as the 7th Annual Cavalcade of Jazz, "An
Evening with Belafonte"; issues of a few magazines such as "Ebony Song Parade" and "New World News" Pictorial Quarterly; a
calendar and brochure from Langston University; and an annual report (1959-1960) and constitution from Tuskegee Institute.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
African Americans -- History
African American universities and colleges
Oklahoma
Photograph albums
Yearbooks
Theater programs
Programs
Los Angeles (Calif.)
Langston University
Jones, Reuben P. , 1907-1988
Jones, Harold Alonzo , 1911-1986
Jones, Selma Leona Hardy, 1912-1984
Tuskegee Institute
box 1, folder 1
Memory Book, compiled by Carold A. Jones
circa 1920s-1930s
Scope and Contents
This memory book contains mostly black-and-white photographs, as well as pages that include poems presumably written by Carold
and some of his friends, as well as notes and signatures from friends, classmates, and teachers; and pages for "nicknames
and nonsense", "honor students", and a page that includes the class motto of "no victory without labor", and information that
states the class flower- "tulip", class officers, and class colors of "royal blue and silver". The first page of the memory
has the inscription "Colord Agricultural and Normal University (C.A. + N.U.) In this book of memory I can __ and write a verse
in it. So that I can look over your verse and refresh my memories of you and always remember you. Carold Alfonzo Jones class
of 1930".
Photographs in this book include images of Carold and his brothers: Reuben, Harold, and Harrison; Carold's parents; Selma
(Carold's future wife); Carold's cousins and aunts; and friends, family, and classmates. In this book there are: portraits;
group photographs; images of people posing in front of cars, in cornfields, in front of rose bushes, in front of homes; and
presumably in front of buildings at Langston University; photographs of couples; construction sites; high school and college
class photographs; images taken at graduation ceremonies; images of people posing in their cap and gown; gardens; and other
images. Almost all of the photographs are captioned, such as "going to school"; "at Fort Sill"; "seniors 1930 H.S."; "I climbed
to the top" (image of Bowmans Tower, Newhope, PA.); "Prof. Trotter + his class in math"; "Group of PIIs 31"; "H.S. Freshman
class 31"; "champion diver"; "Cimarron Riverbridge at Coyle, Okla. 1930"; "A scene in Pawhuska"; "Training school play 30";
"My home at Langston, Okla. 1934. Built by the Joneses 1930"; "Harold, father, Carold. Built house in 28 days"; "My brother
principal of Clearview 31, 32"; "Selma's class 1932. The final day"; and others.
box 1, folder 2
Obituaries- Selma H. Jones, Harold A. Jones, Reuben P. Jones
1984, 1986, 1987
General
obituaries were originally placed in "The Lion" yearbook 1934-1935; but were removed and placed into a separately folder for
preservation.
box 1, folder 3
"The Lion" Yearbook, Langston University
1934-1935
Scope and Contents
This yearbook contains a senior portrait for Harold "Blue" Jones, who majored in Social Science and Industrial Arts, and was
in the industrial club. He is also a part of the "Who's Who Among Seniors" section where he received "most nonchalant". This
yearbook belonged to Carold A. Jones.
box 1, folder 4
"The Lion" Yearbook, Langston University
1953
box 1, folder 5
"The Lion" Yearbook, Langston University
1957
box 1, folder 6
"The Lion" Yearbook, Langston University
1959
box 2, folder 1-3
"The Lion" Yearbook, Langston University
1970-1972
box 2, folder 4
Langston University- calendar; brochure
circa 1954; 1965
box 2, folder 5
7th Annual Cavalcade of Jazz [souvenir program]; Queen of the Cavalcade of Jazz from the Charm Center [flyer]
July 8, 1951; undated
box 2, folder 6
"Oklahoma!" souvenir theater program, Biltmore Theatre
January 18, 1953
box 2, folder 7
"Ebony Song Parade", Vol. 1, No. 3
October 1955
box 2, folder 8
"New World News" Pictorial Quarterly, No. 15. Cover story entitled "Audacious Approach, Africans in Detroit"
1957
box 2, folder 9
Hollywood for Sane presents "An Evening with Belafonte" souvenir program
July 10, 1960
box 2, folder 10
Tuskegee Institute Annual Report of the President 1959-1960, Vol. LIII, No. 3; general alumni association of Tuskegee Institute
constitution
October 1960; undated
box 2, folder 11
America's No. 1 All-Girl Orchestra, Hudson House Recreation Hall [flyer]. two copies.
[July 10th]
box 2, folder 12
Anna Lucasta [souvenir program]
undated
box 2, folder 13
Josephine Baker [souvenir program]
undated
box 2, folder 14
"Lost in the Stars" [souvenir program], Ebony Showcase Theatre
undated
