USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Historical review of Chicago and Cook county and selected biography, Volume III > Part 16
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The family possesses a letter written at Fort Edward by Captain Samuel Jones, to his wife, dated August 18, 1758, in which it appears that I10 years prior to that date, his ancestor, Colonel John Jones, was one of the judges who tried and condemned Charles the First. This Colonel John Jones married Henrietta Catharine, the second sis- ter of Oliver Cromwell, in 1623, and was executed on October 17, 1660, after the restoration of Charles the Second. His son, Wil- liam Jones, survived him, and before his father's death married Han- nah Eaton, then of the Parish of St. Andrew, Holden. Later he came to America with his father-in-law, Theophilus Eaton, the first gov- ernor of the colony of New Haven, where he filled the office of dep- uty governor for many years. He died October 17. 1776, and he and his wife lie buried together at New Haven under the same stone that covers Governor Eaton.
From this brief family sketch it will be seen that J. Russell Jones is a direct descendant from the best Puritan blood of both England and America, and therefore comes naturally by the high qualities which, from the first, have characterized and ornamented his private and official life.
His father died while he was still a child, leaving his mother, with slender means to care for and' educate a numerous family, which, before the period of public schools, was no easy task.
At the age of thirteen, young Russell Jones (for by this name he has always been known to his intimate friends) became a clerk in a dry goods store at Conneaut, while his mother and the other mem- bers of his family removed to Pecatonica (now Rockton), in Winne-
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bago county. Illinois. Russell remained for two years with his em- ployers, giving them the greatest satisfaction by the fidelity, the in- dustry and the careful attention to details which have always been his most noted characteristics.
At fifteen years of age he decided to rejoin his family and seek his fortune in the west. When this became known to the influential members of the Presbyterian church, they endeavored to persuade him to remain at Conneaut. and offered as an inducement to pay all the expenses of his education for the ministry. But young Jones, with a sincere gratitude for their partiality and benevolence, declined their offer, and taking passage, August 12th, on board the schooner "J. G. King." he landed at Chicago on August 19. 1838. From there he finished his journey to Pecatonica by private conveyance, the stage coach for that week having already gone west. He remained with his family for two years, rendering such service to his mother as his youth and delicate constitution would permit.
In 1840, when seventeen years of age, he made his way to Ga- lena, then the largest and most flourishing city in the northwest. It was the commercial center of the lead mines region, then rapidly fill- ing up with immigrants from the older states. His purpose, of course. was to better his condition, but as his entire disposable resources did not exceed a single dollar, his first appearance in the scene of his fu- ture successes was far from encouraging ; but. full of hope and con- fidence, he was glad to accept a clerkship at a mere nominal salary for a few months. His activity, industry and modesty made him many new acquaintances, and through the kindness of the late Cap- tain Edward Hempstead he secured a similar place in the house of Benjamin H. Campbell, who, a few years later, became one of the. leading merchants of the northwest, and many years afterwards Jones' successor as United States marshal for the northern district of Illinois.
Young Jones found in Mr. Campbell's employment a kindly, ap- preciative and agreeable social environment which he valued highly. He also found a cordial encouragement in his work and an ample field for his activities, his talents and his aspirations. This re- gion was at that time filled with a spirit of enterprise of which he fully partook and which developed in him the qualities which have so highly distinguished him since as a man of keen perceptions, ster-
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ling worth and remarkable abilities. Of course, his employer soon became his friend, and noting his self-control, his great aptitude, his unerring judgment and his singular capacity for discovering and initiating new business, advanced liim gradually until he became a partner in the concern.
Russell Jones continued in this partnership with success and profit until 1856, when the firm was dissolved. By this time he had come to be regarded as an influential man of affairs throughout the sur- rounding region. In 1846, while still engaged in mercantile business, he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Galena and Minnesota Packet Company, which important position he filled with entire sat- isfaction to the company for fifteen years.
Galena early became an important center of political as well as of business activity, and during the great contest over slavery in the territories, which resulted in the organization of the Republican party, it was the home of E. B. Washburne, a radical of the radicals, as well as of other strong partisans, both pro-slavery and anti-slavery. Ulys- ses S. Grant was at that time a clerk in the leather store of Simpson and Grant, and it was while thus employed that Russell Jones made lis acquaintance. They afterwards became close friends, and this . relation continued throughout Grant's life. In its earlier stages Jones acted as trustee and financial agent for the investment of Grant's say- ings, and always with such care and prudence as to ensure both safety and profit. But Jones was more than a financial adviser. Through Rawlins, Grant's adjutant general and Secretary of War, with whom he was intimate, he was from the start a trusted and sagacious coun- sellor in all that pertained to Grant's earlier political career, and his election to the presidency. Even while abroad as Minister, Jones found means of making himself felt in behalf of honest men and hon- est measures. Living correctly himself, he gave his advice with en- tire frankness and independence, and always in the interest of good government and his friend's true fame.
As an instance of their intimate relations and of the rare humor which but few of Grant's most intimate friends suspected he pos- sessed, Mr. Jones tells the following story :
Just before Grant's inauguration, in 1869, Jones went to Galena with a private car to conduct the General to Washington. Their train stopped at Altoona and when seated in the car after breakfast, Grant
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lit a cigar, and turning to Jones, said: "The indications are, Jones, that I shall have several appointments to make within a few days, and I am a little surprised that I have not yet heard what you are going to want. In fact, I have been considerably exercised over the matter, fearing you might ask for something that I might not think you were entitled to, and would be compelled to refuse, which, of course, would embarrass me. But I have made up my mind what I shall do when I get to it."
"Well, General," said Jones, "I am a little curious to know about how you have measured me up," to which Grant replied very gravely : "I am going to offer you the postoffice at Vincennes, Indiana !"
A man of serious convictions and independent political principles, Russell Jones early identified himself with the free-soil movement, and in 1860 he was elected as a Republican to the thirty-second gen- eral assembly of Illinois for the district composed of Jo Daviess and Carroll counties. A member of but few words and fewer speeches, he soon became an active and influential participant in the actual work of that important body. exerting a decisive influence in all its meas- ures of public interest, thereby winning for himself the approval not only of his own section, but of the entire state.
At Springfield he made the acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln. David Davis, Richard Yates, and many other leading men of the state, and this in turn naturally resulted in his appointment by the president, shortly after his inauguration, to the post of United States marshal for the northern district of Illinois. At that time this was one of the most important offices in the state, and was actively sought by many influential men. Jones' appointment necessarily changed his residence to Chicago, and promptly brought him into contact with much larger interests than those which had previously engaged his attention. It made him known to all the principal journalists and politicians of that important city. and in due time led to an acquaint- ance with the public enterprises centering there. His office, which in those days was largely used by the president as a means of communi- cating with important politicians, brought him also in contact with many of the leading professional and business men.
Soon after removing to Chicago, Jones organized the Chicago West Division Railway Company, and was for twenty-five years, ex- cept while residing abroad, its president. Being a man with a talent
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for looking after details, his management was both efficient and eco- nomical, and soon brought the system of street roads under his con- trol to a high degree of prosperity. It is much to his credit that when the period of cable and elevated tramways arrived, his lines were amongst the most prosperous in the city. They were, therefore, at once sought for by promoters as an important adjunct to the system which they sought to control and extend ; but so firm was the hold and .so exact the knowledge of Mr. Jones as to the true value of the prop- erties, that he obtained for a majority of the stock $600 per share, in which every interest had an equal right to participate, and he then negotiated a lease which fully protected the smallest as well as the largest stockholder. In all the vexations complications which have since arisen, the rights of the original stockholders in this com- pany have been safeguarded and, in substance, fully recognized.
In the midst of his official duties, both private and public, he still found time to interest himself in commercial and manufacturing en- terprises, which increased his standing as one of the most skillful and influential citizens of Chicago.
Notwithstanding his business activities, he neglected none of his duties as marshal, but performed them all so successfully and so much to the gratification of the federal judges and the government that Mr. Lincoln, at the beginning of his second term, reappointed him to the position, which he held till called by General Grant to a much more eminent one-that of minister to Belgium.
Naturally enough, on account of his personal merits, his political influence, and his fine sense of discretion, Russell Jones became one of Mr. Lincoln's trusted friends, and throughout life enjoyed his en- tire confidence. He was frequently called to Washington for consul- tation on matters of public interest as well as upon subjects of per- sonal importance to the president.
During the war of the Rebellion, Jones made several visits to the army under General Grant, in which many of his Illinois friends held positions of commanding influence. Shortly after Grant's great victory over Bragg at Chattanooga, a movement was begun by a number of leading men at New York for the purpose of making the victorious general the Republican nominee for president. This set Jones to thinking, and he wrote to Grant substantially as follow: "I have no disposition to meddle with your affairs, but cannot resist
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saying that I very much hope you will pay no attention to what is being said about your being a presidential candidate to succeed Lin- coln." Shortly after this Mr. Jones was telegraphed to come to Washington, as the president wished to see him. On his way to the train he stopped at his office, which was in the postoffice building, and in passing his box took out several letters, which he did not look at until he had boarded the train. One of these communications he found was from General Grant in reply to the letter referred to above in which the General said: "I am receiving a great deal of that kind of literature, but it very soon finds its way into the waste basket. 1 already have a pretty big job on my hands, and my only ambition is to see this rebellion suppressed. Nothing would induce me to think of being a presidential candidate, particularly so long as there is a possibility of having Mr. Lincoln re-elected."
Upon reaching Washington, Mr. Jones notified the president of his arrival. saying he would call when it was most convenient for the president to receive him. He was told to come to the White House that evening at eight o'clock, which he did. As soon as the president was disengaged, he took Mr. Jones to his private office. He seemed to want information in regard to the general feeling out west, and to assume that Jones was fairly well informed. It was not very long before Jones thought he could see that the president wanted to learn what he could about Grant, whereupon he took from his pocket the letter from Grant referred to above, and handing it to the president, said: "I have an idea, Mr. President. that this letter will interest you. I received it on my way to the train as I left home." The president read the letter, and when he came to that part which said : "Nothing would induce me to think of being a presidential candidate particularly so long as there is a possibility of having Mr. Lincoln re-elected," he laid down the letter and, rising, put his hand on Jones' shoulder and said: "You will never know how gratifying that is to me. No man knows how deeply that presidential grub gnaws unless he has had it himself."
This characteristic incident was equally important to Lincoln and to Grant, as it established a perfect understanding between those dis- tinguished men.
Shortly after General Grant's election to the presidency, four years later, he nominated his friend Jones to the senate for the post
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of minister resident at Brussels, and this was no less a recognition of his prudence and fitness for the work of diplomacy than of the patriotic services which he rendered to the government during the entire period of the Civil war.
It should be noted that Jones had early been chosen as the mem- ber of the national Republican committee from Illinois, and that he held this position for the entire period of the Civil war, during which he gave many proofs of his capacity as a politician, a man of affairs, and a loyal citizen.
The senate ratified his appointment as a minister, and Mr. Jones set out, with his entire family, for his new post at Brussels, of which he took possession July 21, 1869. He was there received with every mark of respect and confidence. A close and attentive student, and blessed with a remarkably retentive memory, he rapidly acquired a knowledge of French, which is the language of the country. This, together with his extended business experience, soon enabled him to become accurately informed in regard to the great interests of the country and people to which he was accredited. His first important duty was to make an elaborate report on the cereal productions of Belgium, which he did to the entire satisfaction of the department of state. This was followed by the release of an American citizen from prison, which he obtained without friction or noise, and by the nego- tiation through his help of an extradition treaty between the two countries. Later he lent his official assistance to the establishment of a steamship line between Antwerp and New York, and made an extensive report on the rail and canal transportation of Belgium.
It was during Mr. Jones' stay abroad that the adjustment of "The Alabama Claims" against Great Britain, under the Treaty of Wash- ington, became a question which arrested the attention of the world. It was a time of great anxiety to every American representative in Europe, and it is but fair to say that in this emergency no minister was more active or effective than Mr. Jones in giving European opin- ion a favorable turn.
A peculiar combination of circumstances that existed during the Franco-German war placed Mr. Jones in the unique position of being the only man outside of Paris, not connected with the German army, who could get a communication through the lines into Paris. It so happened that Mr. Washburne, our minister to France, was an inti-
Vol. III -- 11.
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mate personal friend of Prince Bismarck, and was the only repre- sentative of any country who remained in Paris during the entire siege. On one occasion, in conversation with Prince Bismarck, Mr. Washburne remarked that being unable to correspond with Jones, United States minister to Belgium, was working a hardship on him, as they were the most intimate friends and for thirty years had never been separated. Whereupon the Prince said: "If your friend will say to you that he will not allow anything contraband of war in his correspondence, I will arrange matters so that you can correspond with him with perfect freedom." The result of this arrangement was that even the King of Belgium, when he desired to communicate with his minister in Paris, was compelled to send his messages through Mr. Jones, the United States minister at his court.
But it would give a false impression if the reader were left to infer that Mr. Jones was entirely given up to affairs of state during this period of his life. While he neglected no public duty, it was a period of rest, recreation and study for himself and his family. Hav- ing ample means of his own, he not only kept open house and enter- tained liberally, but gave much time to the study of literature and art, in consequence of which he became a critic and collector of ex- cellent taste and judgment. Devoting himself principally to the French, Dutch and Flemish schools, he made a collection of paint- ings for his residence in Brussels, which he afterwards transferred to his permanent home at 2108 Michigan avenue, Chicago. It is rich in examples from the easels of such artists as Ruysdael, Verbockhoe- ven, Madou, La Jeune, Koekkoek, Blommers, Cussow, Binet, Schrey- er, Jacque, Clays, Van Luppen, Pérignon, Verdyen, DeConinck, Robbe, Rotta, De Haas, Fourmois, Plumot and Lamoriniére.
In the summer of 1875 Mr. Jones resigned his ministerial post and returned to Chicago, but had hardly arrived when President Grant offered him the post of secretary of the interior, a position for which he was admirably fitted, but which he felt compelled to decline, his business interests demanding his presence at home; but when he made this known, Secretary Bristow and the President united in in- sisting that he should become collector of customs for the port of Chi- cago. Yielding to the call of duty, he accepted this important office, and held it to the entire satisfaction of the merchants of the section
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tributary thereto till his successor was appointed by the next admin- istration.
This ended his career as an office holder, but he remained presi- dent of the street railway company till 1888, when he negotiated the lease which turned the property over to another company, which lease provided for each stockholder getting $600 per share for half his holdings and thirty-five per cent annual dividend on the other half.
Although well advanced in life, he enjoys excellent health, and is a director in the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, the Guarantee Company of North America, the Chicago Telephone Company and the Central Union Telephone Company. As such he takes an active interest in the great business carried on by those corporations. In addition to these interests, for several years he was president of the Pelee Club on Pelee Island, in Lake Erie, and he is also a member of the Society of Sons of the American Revolution and the Chicago Historical Society.
A gentleman of the old school, modest, self-contained and pru- dent, at all times and in all places ; loyal to his friends; devoted to his family ; a good husband, a good father and a good citizen, he has lived the simple life and gained the affectionate regard of all who have come within the circle of his acquaintance and influence. In- dustrious and methodical to an unusual degree, he probably can give a correct statement of his receipts and expenditures for every year of his life since boyhood. Blessed by a sound and discriminating judgment in business, he has acquired a comfortable fortune, and it is just to say for him, what he could not be induced to say for him- self, that while he never appeared anxious to be rich, and still less to make a show, he has always treated the riches which came to him as though they were a sacred trust to be used for his kinsmen of every degree who might be surrounded by circumstances less fortu- nate than his own. To the chosen few who have been permitted to know his inner life nothing can be more beautiful than the spirit of justice and generosity which has always controlled both his private and public conduct, and which has won for him the respect and friend- ship not only of Lincoln, Washburne, Grant and Rawlins, but of such men as Judge Drummond, Judge Gresham, George M. Pullman and Marshall Field. Happy is the state and city that can show such an
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array of civil, military and business leaders, and fortunate is the man whom they loved and honored.
Russell Jones, on September 14, 1848, at Galena, Illinois, mar- ried Elizabeth Ann Scott, the daughter of Judge Andrew Scott, for many years a distinguished citizen of Arkansas. Blessed by a fam- ily of six children, three sons, Russell Sheldon (deceased), Ben Camp- bell (deceased), and Frank Ormsby (deceased), and three daugh- ters, Lizzie Scott, Rebecca Fulkerson and Eliza Maria (deceased), this worthy couple have had their share of joys and sorrows, and through it all their home has always been the abode of peace and plenty, as well as of art, hospitality and refinement. Husband and wife, they have lived together sixty years in mutual confidence and love, and in their declining years are not only comfortable in this world's goods, but rich in the affectionate regard and honor of their children, grandchildren and a host of faithful friends.
Walter John Raymer, prominent in the business and civic affairs of Chicago, is a native of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, born on the WALTER J. 2Ist of June, 1864, son of Robert and Mercy Ray- RAYMER. mer. After receiving a grammar school education in his home schools he came to Chicago in 1881, being then seventeen years of age, and at once obtained employment with Gibson, Parish & Co. Since that time he has been engaged in various commercial pursuits, and since October 20, 1890, has been resident manager of the American Pin Company, manufacturers of all varieties of brass goods, whose manufactory is in Waterbury, Connecticut. In this capacity he is manager of the company's in- terests in all that section of the country west of Cleveland, his position calling for rare judgment and broad and prompt business abilities.
Always deeply interested in the public affairs of his section of the city (formerly the Fifteenth ward), Mr. Raymer's substantial and honorable qualities as a citizen were turned to public account by his election as alderman in 1898. His Republican associates of the council soon discovered his value as a municipal legislator, and he was chosen to many important committees. On April 5, 1904, he was elected for his fourth term, having ably served as a member of the finance, health department, elections, civil service and police sta- tions and bridewell committees, as well as chairman of the committees
THE WAY YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTON, LEAVING TILDEN FOUNDATION.
Sur baily
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on railroad and river improvements. He was a member of the railway commission from the time of its organization until he left the council. As an alderman he assumed a firm attitude on the subject of muni- cipal ownership, holding that the city should not own the street rail. way tracks, but only such property as the water works, whose opera- tion had a direct bearing upon public hygiene. He was especially opposed to municipal ownership of the street railway system, claim- ing that thereby the dominant party would virtually control 25,000 . or 30,000 employes and create a dangerous political machine. Mr. Raymer left the city council with a reputation for broad and useful service, earnestness, straightforwardness and substantial ability, which has since caused his name to be prominently mentioned for the mayoralty. During the first six months of Mayor Busse's term he served as purchasing agent for the city, and afterward was appointed superintendent of track elevation, performing valuable work for Chi- cago in both capacities. He is a leading member of the Hamilton Club, popular, a good organizer, and a dependable man in every sense of the word. Besides ably carrying his responsibilities as manager of the American Pin Company, he is vice president of the Northwestern Trust and Savings Bank.
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