This spectacular memorial to Owen Jones is, with its gothic embellishments, to me one of the most striking in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. I’d been up at the top, nearer to the memorial, but close up I found it difficult to get a good angle on this rather large structure. I gave up and kept on walking and eventually I ended up down at the bottom looking up and I found this perspective much more pleasing. I didn’t know who Mr. Jones was, but according to New York’s Leading Industries, Historical Publishing Company, 1885:
Owen Jones’ Sons, Dry Goods, Nos. 171, 173, 175 Eighth Avenue and Nos. 300, 302, 304 West 19th Street. There are no commercial enterprises that add so greatly to the importance of the metropolis, as the modern dry goods palaces of the present day. New York is not behind any city in America or Europe in the possession of such enterprises as may easily be discovered by a visit to the extensive establishment of Owen Jones’ Sons, N. 175 Eighth avenue, corner of 19th street. This house was established in 1840 by Mr. Owen Jones, the father of the present proprietors, and since its inception at that period has always enjoyed a liberal and influential patronage from all classes of society. In 1884 Mr. Owen Jones died and his sons who had previously been admitted into partnership, succeeded to the business. Mr. Jones’ decease was deeply lamented not only by his immediate relatives, but by a large circle of friends and acquaintances in consequence of his generous disposition and unswerving honor, and it has left a vacancy in the firm which has been very difficult to fill. The just management and policy introduced by the father has been closely followed by the sons, and our readers will readily apprehend the truth of this statement, when informed that the trade resources of this house are twenty times greater than they were a quarter of a century ago, and even then the house was considered one of the most important in New York. The premises occupied are very spacious and commodious, and comprise a magnificent five-storied building with basement 75×100 feet in dimensions, and which forms an imposing architectural addition to this section of the city. The first floor is devoted to dry and facy goods; the second to ladies’ boy’s and children’s suits, underwear, millinery and shoes; the third to carpets and upholstery, and the fourth and fifth to furniture, etc. A large number of polite and attentive assistants find constant employment here, under the active supervision of experienced and competent heads, each of whom is responsible to the partners who direct with the greatest care the operations of this vast establishment. With reference to the manner in which every detail is attended to, visitors will find this house not only elegantly appointed, but steam heated throughout, all the floors being connected by means of elevators, and all the prominent points in the city brought within speaking distance by telephone. So far as the character of the stock and its exent is concerned, it may be stated, that it is unsurpassed by any other contemporary concern, and embraces a diversity simply impossible to describe in dress goods, from the cheapest prints to the most expensive silk and velvet fabrics, ladies’ and gentlemen’s furnishing goods and hosiery, linens, woolens, cotton and mixed articles of every texture and description, upholstery and furniture, fancy notions and in short everything conceivable that would properly be classed under these general headings. All goods are purchased direct from manufacturers both in this country and in Europe in large quantities, and the principle on which the business is conducted is that of just dealing, giving full value for money and obtaining emolument rather in increased sales than in large individual profits. The members of this firm are well fitted by experience and ability to successfully conduct the affairs of this house, and are held in the highest estimation by the community for their generosity and integrity. In every respect this concern may be considered a representative one, prompt, liberal and enterprising. All its operations are conducted with a scrupulous regard for the interests of all patrons, and business relations once entered into with it are certain to become as pleasant as they will be profitable and satisfactory to all concerned.