John was a weaver in the mills of Gregg Township for a time. Then he went to work for the Southern Railway Company as a telegraph operator in the following towns of SC: Hamburg, Bath, Kingsville, St. Matthews, Montmorenci, and Windsor. He settled in Elko around 1910, where he was a station agent. John bought a house, and for a time, he also ran a grist mill and a filling station. He died at his residence in Elko and was buried in the Elko Cemetery, Barnwell County, SC.

THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE, Augusta, GA, Monday Morning, March 19, 1934, Page Eight:
J. P. JONES DIES AT RESIDENCE IN ELKO
Elko, S. C., March 18 - J. P. Jones, station agent here for the Southern Railroad, died at the residence yesterday at noon.
Mr. Jones was a highly respected citizen of Elko, and the entire community has been bereaved by his death. He was a man of fine character, was a true friend, and displayed his deep Christian believe in his every act.
He is survived by his wife and a number of relatives.