The honored subject of this sketch has lived to see Marion county develop
from the wild prairie and primeval forests inhabited by wild animals and a
few pioneer settlers to its present magnificent prosperity, its elegant
homes, comfortable public buildings, fertile farms and thriving cities; and
he has played no small part in this great work of transformation.
Eli W. Jones was born in Marion county, Illinois, April 20, 1839, the son of
James and Laura (Luelen) Jones, the former having been born in October,
1795, in Georgia, near where Atlanta now stands. He came to Illinois in 1814
and was in the War of 1812, having served two short terms guarding the
surveyors when the state was surveyed. He was in Captain Schurtz's company.
He married in Bond county, Illinois, at Keysport, in 1823, and came to
Marion county soon afterward, where he settled among the earliest pioneers
and where he lived until his death, August 29, 1865. He devoted his life to
farming. He was a very pious man, a member of the Methodist church and an
exhorter. He entered government land in this county which he improved and
put a part of it in cultivation. There were some Indians here at the time.
He was a Democrat until the time of Franklin Pierce, when he turned
Republican. He was always opposed to slavery. He never took much interest in
politics, but devoted his time to the farm and the church. The mother of the
subject was born in Kentucky, December 1, 1806, and died February 26, 1885.
Eli W. Jones spent his boyhood days much like the other boys of his
time, in assisting with the work on his father's farm and attending school
in the country district for a short time during the winter, receiving a
meager education.
When the national government was in need of loyal
supporters to defend its integrity it found no more willing patriot than our
subject, who enlisted in 1861 at the beginning of hostilities in the
Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being assigned to Company H, under
command of Colonel Loomis and Capt. A. B. Morrison. He faithfully and
gallantly served for four years when he had a leg shot off, having been
shattered by a minie-ball in Sherman's last big fight, which fact causes him
to wear an artificial leg. He never missed a battle or a march until losing
his leg. He was in the famous march to the sea, in the battle of Corinth,
the siege of Vicksburg, the battle of Missionary Ridge and out of
fifty-seven smaller engagements was never defeated. He is remembered by his
government for his gallantry with a pension of forty-six dollars. He was
never in the hospital a day while in the army until he was wounded. He spent
ten days in the ambulance beore finding a hospital.
Mr. Jones was
united in marriage to Mary Rymon, August 28, 1860. When he went away to war
he left a little baby, three months old. His wife was born December 31,
1839, the daughter of Justus R. Rymon, who was born November 14, 1808. The
mother of the subject's wife was Martha Dickens in her maidenhood. She was
born July 26, 1816. Mr. and Mrs. Rymon were married May 4, 1836. Mr. Rymon
was a preacher and a doctor and was a prominent man in his community. He was
called from his earthly labors February 24, 1878, and his wife passed to her
rest January 1, 1881.
The following children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Jones: J. T., a well known physician of Salem, Illinois, who is at
present unable to practice on account of failing health. He married Carrie
E. Bennett and they are the parents of two children. Logan M., the subject's
second child, was born November 1, 1864, and died in 1873; Flora was born
May 10, 1868, and died November 9, 1873.
Our subject was for many
years a breeder of fine horses and hogs and the owner of some high grade
imported stallions and others of fine variety.
Mr. Jones has always
been a loyal Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. In
1872 he was elected Circuit Clerk of Marion county, being the first
Republican clerk the county ever had. This shows Mr. Jones's great
popularity in his own county. He faithfully served in this capacity, giving
entire satisfaction to all concerned. He has also served his township as
School Trustee, was the first Town Clerk of Foster and is at present Justice
of the Peace. He is regarded as being entirely fair in his decisions. He
served as Supervisor of Patoka township for one term of two years. He is
well known politically, and he is held in high favor by all who know him.
Extracted 27 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 482-484.