Biography of John Jones, DeWitt County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Earliene Kaelin Source: People from the Histories 1882 History JOHN JONES The subject of the following biographical sketch is one of the prominent and influential farmers of De Witt county as well as an old settler. The family on the paternal side is of Welsh descent. Edward Jones the grandfather, was born in 1751. He came to America when quite a youth. William, his son, and father of Jobn Jones, on the breaking out of the revolutionary war,espoused the cause of the patriots and enlisted under Washington. He remained in the service during the continuance of the war, and by his brave and gallant conduct earned the approbation of the great and good Washington. He was a carrier of dispatches, and was often entrusted with matters of great moment. He conveyed the glad tidings of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown to the Continental Congress, and also to get aid for the sick and wounded. In 1809 or 10 he removed to Kentucky, and subsequently went to Tennessee, and died in Overton county in 1839. He married Susan Clark, who was of French descent and a native of Virginia. She survived her husband but a short time, and died in 1840. There were ten children born to the old patriot. The subject of this sketch is the only survivor. He was born in Mecklenburg county, Virginia, January 14th, 1801. He was a mere youth when his father removed the family to Kentucky. He grew to manhood in Tennessee, and learned habits of industry upon the farm. He remained in Kentucky until 1837, then he came West to Illinois and settled in Rutledge township, which was then a part of Macon county. One year later he moved to a tract of land known as the farm of the Rev. Paxton Cumming. He leased and farmed the land for two years, then moved to Benjamin Newberry's farm on section eighteen. One year later he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of William Jones. It was timbered land except about forty acres, which was prairie. It was raw, without any improvements whatever. Here Mr. Jones and his family settled permanently and commenced clearing and breaking the land, getting it under cultivation, and in other ways making the place productive and habitable. Here the old pioneer still lives, enjoying his eighty odd years, and serenely waiting for the dread summons to join that " innumerable caravan that is moving to the pale realms of shade." In 1825, while a resident of Tennessee, he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Elizabeth Fulington, a native of Tennessee. She is the daughter of David and Sarah (Belcher) Fulington. There have been three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, all sons. Their names in the order of their birth are Campbell, Preston and Albert. All are farmers and residents of Santa Anna township, in De Witt county. The subject of our sketch has followed the occupation of farmer and stock raiser, and the family before him generally were tillers of the soil, and some few mechanics. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and has been a professing Chirstian for a number of years. In the erection of church buildings and in the furtherance and advancement of the cause of Christianitv, he has always been liberal and has given freely of his means for that purpose. Politically he has always voted the Democratic ticket. He cut his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson in 1824, and from that time to the present has not missed a general election, and always and unhesitatingly gave his vote for the nominees of the Democratic party. He is one of the few surviving Jacksonian Democrats, and yet remembers with great pride his vote for "Old Hickory," the hero of New Orleans. Mr. Jones has been the architect of his own fortune. He started in life poor, and received no aid from rich relations nor did he gain a competency by any sudden turn of fortune's wheel, but rather by slow, persistent toil; gathering little by little, living economically and never venturing beyond his means, he at last reached a position of independence and beyond the want or danger of dependence upon others. And in all these years he has just as steadily built up a reputation for great honesty and sterling worth as a man and a citizen. He is kind, sociable and hospitable in his nature, and all who come beneath his roof are made genuinely welcome. Campbell Jones, the eldest son, was born in Tennessee, August lst, 1828. His education was confined to and received in the log school-house of the pioneer era of the western country. It was exceedingly limited, and yet the stranger is slightly surprised at the varied and extensive knowledge possessed by Mr. Jones. The secret of it is self-culture, extensive and voluminous reading. With the exception of a few years Mr. Jones has lived with his father. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and an advocate of the cause of temperance. Preston, the second son, was a brave and gallant soldier. He enlisted for three years in Co " I " of the 107th Regt., ILL. Vols. He passed through all the grades and was mustered out as first Lieutenant of his company. Albert is the youngest son. When Mr. Jones came to De Witt county, Illinois, there were but seven families living in the neighborhood where he settled. What a wonderful change,has taken place in the State and county since that time. The story of the rapid improvement of this section of the country and the history of the old settlers who were Mr. Jone's neighbors in 1837 is best told in the Pioneer chapter of this work. ------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ----------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Earliene Kaelin