Biography - HENRY C. JONES
Henry Clay Jones, the affable and genial treasurer of Douglas county,
was born in Franklin county, lndiana, December 2, 1842, a son of Calvin and
Hannah (Case) Jones. He was reared to manhood in his native county and in
1860 removed to Douglas county. In 1862 he joined Company K, Seventy-ninth
Illinois Infantry, and served as a private soldier in the Civil war until
June 12, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee. He
was wounded in the leg in the battle of Liberty Gap, which prevented him
from keeping up with his regiment until the battle of Missionary Ridge, in
which he participated. During the time between the battles of Liberty Gap
and Missionary Ridge he caught cold in the wound and was confined in the
hospital for three months. After his release he rejoined his regiment and
was with it in every fight until the close. After the war Mr. Jones returned
to Douglas county and engaged in farming, at which he continued for six
years, when he removed to Arthur and bought grain. He then returned to his
farm where he remained until 1894, when he became the deputy under his
half-brother, James Jones (see sketch), who was then serving as county
treasurer. He continued in this position during the regular term of four
years. In the fall of 1898 he was elected to this office, when his
half-brother, James, became deputy treasurer.
On February 25, 1866, Mr. Jones married Miss Harriet E. York, who was a
native of Ohio, and a daughter of Abner York. To their marriage were born
three daughters: Elizabeth, wife of R. C. Hostetter, of near Marshalltown,
Iowa: Laura, who is the wife of John Hostetter, a brother of R. C. and
resides in Tuscola, and Nettie. Mrs. Jones' death occurred in 1897. Mr.
Jones is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, also a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. He owns a beautiful farm of two hundred and
fifteen acres just south of Tuscola. As an official and an every day citizen
Mr. Jones' record in Douglas county is unimpeachable. His word is equal to
his bond, which can be said of few, in this rumbling, blundering age of the
almighty dollar.
Extracted 16 Jan 2020 by Norma Hass from the Historical and Biographical Record of Douglas County, Illinois, published in 1900, page 256.
