Jones was born in 1835 in Limerick, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States and was living in New York when he joined the U.S. Navy. He served during the Civil War as a chief boatswain's mate on the . Although their enlistments had expired, Jones and crewmate James Seanor voluntarily transferred to the to fight in the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864. During the battle they "carried out [their] duties gallantly" according to the Medal of Honor citation. For this actions, both Jones and Seanor were presented the Medal of Honor four months later, on December 31, 1864.