Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Jones, James 1820 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 10, 2007, 3:10 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

JAMES JONES. The late James Jones deserves more than a passing notice, not 
because he acquired a solid financial standing, but because his home in 
Manhattan Township was a resort for many of the best people of the county, and 
because his personal traits of heart and mind gave him the respect and 
affection of all who became acquainted with his good qualities. He was one of 
those whole-hearted men who are ever ready to give liberally of their means, 
as well as of their time and energy, to all movements for the public good, and 
who, while having special likes in church or party, give honor to whom honor 
is due and display no bigotry. Modest and unpretending, he was yet one of the 
finest scholars in the county, excelling particularly in penmanship. The 
father of our subject was Robert Jones, whose family consisted of three sons 
and three daughters; he was a native of Delaware, in which State his boyhood 
was spent. When he became a man he went to New York City and engaged in the 
mercantile business, becoming prosperous and finally carrying on a wholesale 
clothing house; importing the finest goods from abroad. In 1830 he came West 
to look after some investments, driving in a carriage from New York City and 
bringing his boys with him. In Chicago they found no boarding house but a 
shanty, were obliged to pay twelve and a half cents for a pail of water, and 
to buy bread to feed the horses and cattle which they had brought with them. 
Mr. Jones had invested in Illinois lands, owning large tracts in various 
counties. He also continued his business in New York City, where he breathed 
his last. The members of the parental family are: Sarah, now living in New 
York City; Anna, who died in 1872; Maria, living in New York; Frederick, 
formerly a merchant in that city, who died in 1875; James, our subject, and 
Robert, who came to Will County when our subject did, owned and operated three 
hundred and twenty acres of land here, but finally returned to the metropolis, 
where he died in 1889. James Jones was born in New York City in the year 1820. 
During his boyhood and youth he sometimes accompanied his father to the West, 
enjoying the journey and the scenes which they encountered, as a bright boy 
can. He became a cadet at West Point and was graduated from the Military 
Academy at the age of twenty-one years. His father then started him in life 
with $150,000 which he invested in ships, establishing a line which plied 
across the ocean. For several years he gave his time and attention to the 
shipping business. One of his best vessels went down with all on board, and 
refitting another he sent it out under charge of a captain who had been highly 
recommended to him, for the purpose of trading his cargo for other goods in 
Africa. The captain sold the goods, reloaded the vessel with a return cargo, 
for which he did not pay, and absconded with his employer's money. News was 
sent to Mr. Jones, who at once crossed the ocean, visited the Governor of the 
place, but found that he could do nothing in the premises, as the absconder 
had fled into the interior. Returning with his cargo Mr. Jones determined to 
abandon the sea, and so embarked in the wholesale crockery, glass and pottery 
business with a partner. The junior member of the firm of Jones & Decker ere 
long succeeded in getting funds into his hands, with which he ran away, and 
our subject became so disgusted with his experiences that he determined to 
come West. His good nature and leniency had proved his financial enemies, as 
they do that of many a man in a world which contains so many sharpers. Telling 
his father of his desire to try a new home, our subject was given section 9, 
of Manhattan Township, this county, and in 1848 came to this vicinity. For 
some time he made his home with his uncle, Eben Jones, in New Lenox Township, 
near the old Red Mill, looking after the improvements of his place, but doing 
little else, although at one time he and his brother owned a mill on Bluff 
Street, Joliet. This was destroyed by fire. In 1855 Mr. Jones took possession 
of the large brick house which he had built upon his land and engaged in 
farming. The brick which were used in his residence were made on the site by a 
Mr. Shaw. Mr. Jones proved to be but a poor farmer and manager, so he finally 
acted on advice and rented his farm on shares. He had four tenants on the 
land, which was divided into five improved places. Under this order of things 
he did well and ere his death had the section of land free of debt, together 
with funds in the Joliet Bank. His beautiful home was under the care of a 
competent housekeeper, who furnished good cheer for the owner and his many 
friends. Mr. Jones was a great hunter, delighting exceedingly in the sport. At 
different times he served as Justice of the Peace, but beyond that never 
aspired to office. He was tendered the nomination of member of the 
Legislature, but refused to run although, being a stanch Republican, he would 
undoubtedly have been elected. In New York he had belonged to the Wesleyan 
Methodist Church, but being of a liberal mind he helped the different 
organizations in this section, having been a main instrument in suggesting and 
building the St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in Manhattan Township. 

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 

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