USA > Illinois > Jo Daviess County > The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion history of the Northwest, history of Illinois Constitution of the United States > Part 69
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104
JOSEPH RUSSELL JONES
(Now of Chicago), was born at Conneaut, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Feb. 17, 1823. His father, Joel Jones, was born at Hebron, Conn., May 14, 1792, and after marrying
Miss Maria Dart, the daughter of Joseph Dart, of Middle Haddam, Conn., removed with his young family to Conneaut, Ohio, in 1819.
Joel Jones was the sixth son of Captain Samuel Jones, of Hebron, Conn., who was an officer in the French and Indian war, and also in the Revolutionary war. The latter held two commissions under George II. of England. He returned from the wars and settled in Hebron, where he mar- ried Miss Lydia Tarbox, by whom he had six sons and four daughters. Nine out of the ten lived to reach maturity.
From another brother descended the late Hon. Joel Jones, the first president of Girard College; the late Samuel Jones, M. D., of Philadelphia, and Matthew Hale Jones, of Easton, Pa. From a third brother descended Hon. Anson Jones, second President of the Republic of Texas.
The family are now in possession of a letter written by Captain Samuel Jones to his wife at Ft. Edward, dated Aug. 18, 1758. One hundred and ten years previous to the date of this letter, his ancestor, Colonel John Jones, sat at Westminster as one of the judges of King Charles I. Colonel John Jones married Henrietta (Catherine), the second sister of Oliver Cromwell, in 1623, and was put to death Oct. 17, 1660, - on the restoration of Charles II. His son, Hon. William Jones, survived him, and one year before his father's death, married Miss Hannah Eaton, then of the Parish of St. Andrews, Holden, Epenton. He sub- sequently came to America with his father-in-law, the Hon. Theophilus Eaton, first Governor of the Colony of New Haven, Conn., where he occupied the office of Deputy Governor for some years, and died Oct. 17, 1706. Both himself and wife are buried at New Haven, under the same stone witlı Governor Eaton.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the subject of this sketch is connected by direct descent with the best blood of the Puritan fathers, and came honestly by the virtues which have characterized and adorned his private and official life. His father died when he was but an infant, leaving his mother with a large family and but slender means for their mainte- nance. At the age of 13 young Jones was placed in a store in Conneaut-his mother and other members of the family at the same time removing to Rockton, Winne- bago Co., Ill. This, his first clerkship, gave to his employers great satisfaction. He remained with them for two years, when he decided to follow his family, and seek fortune in the West. .
Taking passage on board the schooner "J. G. King," he made his first landing at Chicago on the 19th of August, 1838. From thence he proceeded to Rockton, where he remained with his family for the next two years, rendering such service to
1
618
JO DAVIESS COUNTY DIRECTORY:
his mother as his tender years and slight frame would permit. In 1840 he went to Galena, then the largest and most flourish- ing city in the Northwest, determined to better his condition, but as his entire avail- able capital amounted to only one Illinois State Bank dollar, his first appearance upon the scene of his future successes was not encouraging. He was glad to accept, at a mere nominal salary, a clerkship, which he filled for about six months, after which he entered the employment of Ben- jamin H. Campbell, one of the leading merchants of the city, and late United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois. His employer, perceiving his superior qualifications, his ready adapta- bility to the requirements of his position, his imperturbable good nature, self-pos- session, foresight and sagacity, advanced him rapidly to the position of book-keeper, and finally to a partnership in the business, which was continued successfully and profitably until 1856, when the co-partner- ship was dissolved. In 1846, while still engaged in the mercantile business, he was appointed Secretary and Treasurer of the Galena and Minnesota Packet Com- pany. In 1860 he was nominated by the Republican party and elected member of · the twenty-second General Assembly from the Galena District, composed of the Counties of Jo' Daviess and Carroll. He soon became one of the most active and influential members of the Legislature, and was prominently identified with many measures of great public interest, so that his conduct as a representative received the high approval, not only of his own district, but of the whole state.
In 1861 Mr. Jones was appointed by President Lincoln to the office of United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois. This appointment required him to change his residence to Chicago, and brought him in contact with other and larger interests than those which had pre- viously claimed his attention. Investing a portion of his means in the Chicago West Division Railway, he was elected president of that company, which position he occupies at the present time. In the midst of his exacting official duties, he found time to take part in various other commercial and manufacturing enterprises, all of which added to his ample fortune, and brought him into notice as one of the most successful and influential men of Chicago. Withal, he discharged his duties as marshal so efficiently and with such satisfaction to the government that, upon the commencement of Mr. Lincoln's sec- ond term, he was re-appointed, and held the office till Gen. Grant called him to fill a higher and much more conspicuous position. Mr. Jones was one of Mr. Lin- coln's most trusted friends and enjoyed his fullest confidence.
Immediately after Gen. Grant's election, four years later, he nominated Mr. Jones to the senate as Minister Resident at Brussels, in grateful appreciation of his patriotic support of the government's policy during the civil war, in recognition of his services as a member of the National Republican Executive Committee during the political contest which had just terminated, and of his high qualities as a gentleman and cit- izen. He was confirmed in due time, pro- ceeded quietly to his post accompanied by his family, took posession of the legation on the 21st of July, 1869, and addressed himself at once, unostentatiously but in- dustriously, to the mastery of the situation. One of his first duties was to make an elaborate report upon the cereal produc- , tions of Belgium, by order of the state department, and the manner in which he did this left nothing to be required. Shortly afterwards he was called upon to interpose his good offices in behalf of an American citizen who had been unjustly condemned to imprisonment. He did so, quietly and without display, and succeeded speedily in effecting the release of his injured countryman.
When the difficulty arose with Great Britain with reference to the construction of the treaty of Washington, no minister was more active than he in disseminating correct information, and in giving public opinion a turn favorable to our interests. In the final extinguishment of the Scheldt dues he served the government with marked capability and intelligence. He also materially assisted in bringing about an understanding between Belgium and the United States, which enabled them to agree upon the terms of an extradition treaty, and he also furnished for the use of the senate committee on transportation, an admirable report upon the Belgian rail- ways and canals.
Mr. Jones resigned the position of Min- ister to Belgium, and returned to Chicago in August, 1875. In September of that year he was tendered by President Grant the position of secretary of the interior, which he declined, and was appointed collector of the port of Chicago.
In 1848 Mr. Jones married Miss E. A. Scott, the sister of Mrs. B. H. Campbell, and the daughter of the late Judge An- drew Scott, of Arkansas. She is a most excellent and accomplished lady, and, with her interesting children, gave to the American legation at Brussels an enviable reputation for elegance and hospitality.
JOHN ARNOLD PACKARD (now of Chicago), was born in Denmark, Lewis Co., N. Y., Sept. 2, 1817. His father, Jared Packard, was an honest and industrious farmer, of more than ordinary ability, who left Mass. in 1802, and settled in what was called the " Black River Co.," in York State. He was a lineal descend-
619
NON-RESIDENTS.
ant of Samuel Packard, who came from England in 1638, and settled in Hingham, Mass., but subsequently removed to Bridge- water. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of his native town, and like most farmer's boys, labored on the farm in Summer and attending school about three months in Winter, until at the age of 18 years he attended two terms of High School at Watertown, and one. term at Denmark. In the Winter of 1836, at the age of 19, young Packard left the paternal roof and went to Canada, where he taught his first school at Haldimand, but returned the next Spring and spent the Summer on his fatlier's farm. From this time until 1844 he taught school in Winter and labored on the farm every Summer, except one, which he spent in the school-house.
In the Spring of 1844 he came to Galena, arriving May 6, and engaged in peddling, traveling on foot and carrying a pack and a large tin box, but returned to N. Y. early in Sept. On the 9th of April, 1845, he married Miss Mary Ann Tozer, a very estimable and accomplislied young lady of Farmersville, Cataraugus Co., N. Y., and on the 13th of the same month, with their earthly effects packed in a blue chest, an heirloom in the bride's family, started with his wife on their tedious journey to Galena-from Buffalo to Cleve- land by steamer, thence by canal to Ports- mouth on the Ohio River. Here they took a steamer to St. Louis, and from there to Galena on the steamboat, "Sarah Ann," of which Wm. H. Hooper, since a delegate to Congress from the Territory of Utalı, was Captain. On board was a young lady who was on hier way to Prairie du Chien to be married, with whom Capt. Hooper fell in love and offered himself in mar- riage, but his proposal, was respectfully declined, and he probably never knew that slie was then on her way to meet her in- tended husband. On the 9th of May, after a tedious journey of four weeks, Mr. Packard arrived the second time in Galena, and settled in the part of the town called Oldtown, nearly opposite the " Old Cooper Shop," where preacher Haines hauled hoop-poles on Sunday thinking it was Saturday, and he engaged in sup- plying peddlers, sending out four wagons. His entire capital at the time was $350, $50 of which belonged to his wife and was invested in furniture, and his house- hold expenses for the first year amounted to $320, a sum that would hardly suffice to maintain a family a year in these later days. The next year he removed to a small cabin near Huglilett's furnace, and beside supplying peddlers, taught school in that neighborhood. His business in- creased so rapidly that during the Sum- mer of 1846, he went to New York and purchased a stock of goods on credit.
.
During his absence of nine weeks his wife taught the school, and it is to be remarked that she was the first female teacher em- ployed in that neighborhood. On his return, he made his house serve the double purpose of dwelling-house and store.
In the Autumn of 1847, he moved back to "Oldtown," occupying a new brick building, owned by William Parnell, near "The Convent," and living in the second story. Two years later he opened a store under the old American House, that was burned about 1858, and which stood on the corner of Hill and Main Streets, where Mr. Pratt's store now stands.
Here he engaged more extensively in the wholesale trade, supplying a large num- ber of peddlers and jobbing to the country traders, gradually curtailing his retail busi- ness until 1851, when he removed to No. 105 Main Street, a building then just erected by Henry Corwith, and confined himself exclusively to the jobbing busi- ness. In 1855 he admitted his clerk, Mr. B. F. Ray, to an interest in his now exten- sive business, and in 1856 occupied the large new store on the opposite side of the street, built by Peter Marsden. In June, 1859, during his absence in Minnesota, his store was burned, and on his return he re- occupied No. 105 with the remnant of his stock saved from the fire, until the Mars- den store.was rebuilt, when he returned to it and remained until he retired from mer- cantile business in 1861, his partnership with Ray terminating in 1860. During the last two years he remained there his business amounted to about $250,000 annually.
In 1863 lie went South and rented a large cotton plantation on the Yazoo River, eight miles from Vicksburg. That year cotton was largely destroyed by worms, and his crop was only 300 bales, which he shipped to New York and sold for 80c per pound, the capture of Savannah by Sherman having thrown a large quantity of this staple on the market, and the price fell from $1.50 to 70c and 80c. In March, 1864, the high water prevented planting, and he abandoned the planta- tion. During all this time armed men guarded the place against rebel foragers. In Feb., 1864, the Confederates made a raid down the Yazoo River and visited Packard's plantation, killing two negroes, stealing ten mules, and capturing a deserter from the rebel army, who was employed by Mr. Packard. The free and somewhat reckless use of Henry rifles in the hands of the little garrison, however, compelled the marauders to retreat with the loss of one of their leaders.
In 1865, Mr. Packard rented another large plantation eighteen miles from Vicksburg, near Haines' Bluff Landing, on the Yazoo River. Employed 300 . hands, but it was not a good year for the
620
JO DAVIESS COUNTY DIRECTORY :
cotton crop, prices ruled low, and he lost heavily. Becoming disgusted with cot- ton planting, he returned to Galena in the Fall of that year, rich in experience, and desiring no more of that particular kind.
Early in 1865, in connection with Chas. R. Perkins, he purchased the Grant inter- est in the Galena Leather Store, and in Feb., 1870, sold his interest in the leather business to Samuel Frazer in exchange for his interest in the Frazer Lubricator Company, and in May following removed to Chicago, where he now resides ; acquired a controlling interest in the Company, became its president, and engaged largely in the manufacture of the Frazer Lubrica- tor. Established a factory in Chicago and another in Jersey City, supplying the whole country with axle-grease and ex- · porting large quantities to foreign nations.
Mr. Packard, during his long residence and business career in Galena, was an ex- cellent citizen, and a quietly, energetic business man, enjoying the marked re- spect and esteem of his neighbors and townsmen. He was never actively en- gaged in politics, but was elected Alder- man from the Third Ward, Galena, in 1858, and re-elected in 1859, serving both terms as Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee, discharging the delicate and re- sponsible duties of the position with credit to himself and the city. In 1861 he was elected one of the Board of Supervisors and served his fellow-citizens acceptably two years in that capacity. Mr. Packard was one of the Trustees of the Methodist Church in Galena, of which his wife was an earnest, consistent and valued mem- ber for twenty-five years. During their residence in Galena, eight children were born to this worthy family: George Chester, Felicia Marie, Frank, Ellen Eugenia, Mary Alice, John Elwood, Wm. Howard, and Clara Lillian. Of these only two are now living: Felicia Marie, who married Henry C. Norris and resides in California, and John Elwood, now in Florida.
ABEL PROCTOR (now of Wright Co., Iowa,) Farmer ; was born in the Town of Cavendish, Windsor Co., Vermont, March 31, 1800; spent the first fourteen years of his life on a farm, going to school during the winter months; Sept. 14, 1814, he entered the office of the Rutland (Vt.) Herald, as an indentured apprentice to the printing business; he remained in that office until March 31, 1821, when he went to school for six months at Chester, Vt., Academy; leaving the Academy, he went to Boston and found a situation in the office of the Patriot and Chronicle, re- maining there nearly two years, and then went to Richmond, Va., and engaged as a clerk in a boot and shoe store, and on the 5th of July, 1825, started across the moun-
tains for Huntsville, Ala., arriving there some time in the latter part of August; at Huntsville, he made an engagement with the managers of the steamboat Nashville, as clerk, and was filling that position when the boat sunk on the 22d of Feb., 1826, about 60 miles above New Orleans; he returned to New Orleans and went as clerk on the steamboat Tuscumbia, and made one trip to the mouth of the Oliio, where the boat remained until Fall, when it returned to New Orleans, and Mr. Proc- tor engaged as receiver and accountant of cotton delivered there, having the cargoes of about thirty steamboats to look after; June 16, 1827, he left New Orleans for Ga- lena, and arrived here on the 16th of July, following, and commenced mining, which he continued until 1834, when he com- menced farming upon a claim he made near Scales Mound, and where he contin- ued to reside until April, 1868, when he sold his farm there and removed to Wright Co., Iowa; during his residence in Jo Da- viess Co., he served the people of his Tp. as Justice of the Peace for two years, and as Co. Commissioner two terms of one year each, in 1836 and 1837; he was also Assessor and Collector for the eastern dis- trict of the Co., during 1847 and 1848; he was married Dec. 23, 1831, to Miss Mary Moffat, who was born in Maine in 1806; his wife died May 14, 1865; had ten chil- dren, seven of whom are living: Emily, Charles, Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, George and Henry; has 21 grandchildren at this date (Jan. 30, 1878); his present home and P. O. is Fryeburgh, Wright Co., Iowa.
EDWARD A. SMALL (now of Chi- cago) was born in Rumford, Oxford Co., Me., Jan. 29, 1829. His ancestors for six generations were natives of the same state, except the first, bearing the same name, who came from England in 1635, and settled at Kittery, Me. All of these generations were tillers of the soil, and the subject of this sketch was, so far as known, the only one of the name and fam- ily who became a lawyer. At an early age he was left, by the death of his father, de- pendent upon his mother for his education and training, and through her aid he was fitted for college, at the age of sixteen. Here his school days ended, and at the age of seventeen he entered a store as a clerk, and thereafter, for ten years, was en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. In Sept., 1852, he settled in Galena, with no thought of any different vocation; but after four years' experience of its vicissitudes, he abandoned trade, and after a little more than one year's study, was admitted to the bar as a lawyer. From 1858 to 1861 he was associated as junior partner with Hon. W. Weigley, and during that period few, if any, of his most hopeful friends predicted the success he has since so
621
NON-RESIDENTS.
remarkably achieved. But in 1861, his association with Mr. Weigley having ex- pired by limitation, he was cast upon his own resources, and speedily came forward to a leading position at the bar. During the following eight years, and prior to his removal to Chicago, where he has since resided, his success in the profession was unprecedented, even at a bar which then and always had many able members. Intensely laborious in his profession, and devoted to the interests committed to his care, he is now, after twenty years' unde- viating pursuit of its exacting duties, in the enjoyment of a practice second to none in the state. Mr. Small has achieved his success in the presence of obstacles which only the most indomitable energy and courage could have surmounted, and these qualities, coupled with excellent judgment and a thorough mastery of his profession,
have given him his present position. He is now, and for a number of years past has been, the attorney for several railway and express companies of Chicago, whose large interests require his constant atten- tion. The people of Jo Daviess Co. claim him with pride as one of the many distin- guished graduates of the lead mine city, and we have no doubt he regards his for- mer home and friends with an equal affec- tion. Mr. Small was married Aug. 10, 1852, to Mary C. Roberts, of Portland, Me., and has five children, viz .: Mrs. Clara Rebecca Smith, wife of A. P. Smith, Esq., of Chicago; Adelia W., Edward A., Jr., Lora J., and Bessie C. Small.
JOHN CORSON SMITH (now of Chicago), the son of Robert and Sarah Smith, was born at Philadelphia, Feb. 13, 1832. His father is of Scotch descent, and possesses the shrewd, patient industry and sterling integrity of the typical Scotch- man. His mother is of the English race, and is a woman of excellent judg- ment and affectionate disposition. Until his majority the son continued with his parents in Philadelphia, where he ac- quired such education as circumstances and a busy life would permit, and at the same time served an apprenticeship as a carpenter and builder, and worked dili- gently at his vocation. After about a year spent in New York and Cape May, he came, in the Spring 1854, to Chicago, whence he removed, a few months later, to Galena, where he fixed his residence. Engaging in business there, he erected many of the most substantial public and private buildings in that city. In 1859 Mr. Smith entered the employ of the gov- ernment, in the capacity of assistant superintendent of the custom-house build- ing, then in the process of erection at Dubuque, Iowa, which position he re- tained until 1861, when he resumed busi- ness in Galena. In 1862, impelled solely by patriotic motives, he abandoncd several
.
large and important contracts, at a great loss, and enlisted as a private in Co. I, 96th I. V. I .; was elected its captain, and subsequently, at an election by the rank and file of the en- tire regiment, he was chosen major. In October, of the same year, the Regt. was ordered to the defense of Cincinnati, which was then threatened by the confed- erate forces, where Major Smith was as- signed to the command of several batteries. Early in 1863, the 96th was ordered to the relief of Rosecrans, and participated in the second battle of Ft. Donelson; thence was ordered to_ Nashville, whence, in March following, it marched to Franklin, and engaged Van Dorn. Soon after Maj. Smith was assigned to duty on the staff of Brig. Gen. Bcard, a brave and gallant soldier of the regular army, where he served with distinguished ability until he was transferred to the staff of Maj. Gen .. Steedman, where he served with conspicu- ous bravery through the battle of Chica- mauga, the storming of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. Generals James B. Steedman and Gordon Granger compli- mented him for gallant conduct at Chica- mauga, and thereupon he was commis- sioned Lieut. Col., in recognition of emi- nent services. Assigned to duty by Gen. Rosecrans, upon falling back to Chatta- nooga, Col. Smith proceeded, in the night, to plant batteries upon Moccasin Point, immediately under the guns of Longstreet, who occupied Lookout Mountain. These batteries were so well placed that, opening fire at daybreak, they soon silenced the guns on the point of Lookout, the second shot of the 10th Ind. Bat., under command of Capt. Naylor, carrying away the rebel signal flag, and making their position un- tenable. After the battle of Mission Ridge Col. Smith, at his own request, was re- lieved from staff duty, and took command of his Regt. and the troops on outpost duty at Nickajack Cove, Ga. In Feb., 1864, he commanded the advance in the movement to East Tenn., and was in the action at Buzzard Roost. Subsequently, he was placed in command of the post, and made president of a board of claims at Cleveland, Tenn., which duty lic con- tinued to discharge until the opening of the Atlanta campaign, participating in the battles of Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, New Hope Church, and all others, until, in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, while in command of the brigade, in repelling a night assault, he was severely wounded, and compelled for a timc to seek quiet and recruit liis exhausted energies. Though wholly unfit for active duty, he returned to the field in Oct., and took part in the battle of Nashville, after which he was assigned to duty as president of a court martial, and, soon thereafter, of a military commission at Nashville, where
622
JO DAVIESS COUNTY DIRECTORY:
he remained until the close of the war. While performing these important duties with marked ability and conscientious fidelity, Col. Smith's urbane manners and kindness of heart won for him warm and devoted friends, not only among the Union people, but among those who, while sym- pathizing with the fortunes of the South, were competent to appreciate honorable and chivalrous devotion to duty. In Feb., 1865, he was breveted Col. by President Lincoln "for gallantry," and soon there- after promoted to the full rank of Col., and in June following he was breveted Brig. Gen. by President Jolinson "for meritorious services." Patriotism seems to have been a family trait. The fatlier, at fifty-five years of age, shouldered his musket and fought through the entire re- bellion as a private soldier. The three brothers entered the army about the same time. Robert fell at Duck River. Tenn., and sleeps in a soldier's grave. Thomas was slain on the bloody field of Resaca. Of the three, Gen. Smitli alone survives, and bears. in manly silence the constant pain of injuries which nature can never repair. Immediately upon being mus- tered out of service, at the close of the war, the soldier was assigned to duty as a civilian in the department of internal rev- enue, with headquarters at Galena, in which department he continued to serve until the Summer of 1872, when the as- sessor's department, with which he was' then connected, was abolished by act of congress. Relieved from the exercise of public trust, he engaged in business in Chicago. Here, again, he was sought out, and Gov. Beveridge appointed him, unso- licited, to the office of chief grain inspector of the City of Chicago, which important and responsible place he filled for several years, discharging its functions with re- markable discrimination, and to the satis- faction of the entire grain trade and the board of railroad and warehouse commis- sioners, from whom he received the fol- lowing well merited certificate:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.