Madison Ralph Jones was educated in the public schools of Martinez, attended the Oakland High School, and graduated with the A. B. degree from the University of California in 1895. He went east for his professional training, attending the Columbian Law School of Washington D. C., where he was graduated LL. B. in 1897. His father died in 1900 and the son returned to Martinez to take up the practice of law, occupying the same offices his father had kept. He remained in practice at Martinez until 1914, when he moved with his family to Oakland, and lived at 265 Vernon Street until his death. He became a partner of Wiggington E. Creed and Cornelius G. Dall, the firm name being Creed, Jones & Dall. After two or three years the partnership was broken up by the death of Mr. Creed, and the firm of Jones & Dall continued until the death of Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jones enjoyed an honored and successful position in his profession, had a large practice, and his firm had among their clients the Southern Pacific Company, the Standard Oil Company, the Pacific Gas & Electric Company and the Balfour Guthrie Company. Mr. Jones was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Contra Costa County, and when it was taken over by the American Trust Company he became a director in the latter company. He was a director of the California Cap Company and of the Oliver Filters, Incorporated. He was also a director and member of the executive board of the American Trust Company.

But for his devotion to his law practice he might have reached many high honors in public life. He did serve one term as a member of the State Legislature, having been elected in 1910, but he declined to become a nominee for the State Senate in 1912. He was fortunate in his friendships, and many prominent men over the state counted his friendship as one of their best assets. He was a friend of the great California naturalist John Muir and also of John Swett, California's first superintendent of public instruction. Mr. Jones cooperated with John Swett in the organization of the Alhambra High School district in 1902, and Mr. Jones was for many years a member of the high school board and counted one of his highest privileges his part in giving the improved educational facilities represented in this school to his home community. Mr. Jones was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Martinez, the Woodmen of the World and Mount Diablo Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West.