Alfred Hanby Jones

Other Events and Attributes:

• Politics: Crawford Co, Illinois, House of Representatives
• Occupation: Crawford Co, Illinois; lawyer

Notes:

ALFRED HANBY JONES 1850-1937
Robinson, Crawford County, Illinois

Alfred Hanby Jones, attorney at law, Robinson, was a native of Crawford County and was born July 4, 1850 near Flat Rock, the son of John Miller Jones and Elizabeth (Ford) Jones. He was the fifth of six children. His middle name, ?Hanby? which he was usually called, was given him in the hope that he would emulate the worthy bishop of the United Brethren for whom he was named. He was raised on the farm, and attended the common schools of the neighborhood, finishing in the United Brethren school, Westfield College in Clark County, IL. He continued his college education at Lebanon Normal College in Lebanon, OH with a BS degree in teaching in 1870. He had no intention of making this his life work, but used it solely as a means to earn enough money to take up the study of law. He followed teaching for a time and was Principal of the schools in St. Mary, Kansas.

In 1872 he commenced reading law with Callahan & Jones (Wm.C.); he was admitted to the bar on the 14th of July 1875, and at once entered into practice. He was appointed by the court to fill out the unexpired term of county prosecutor caused by the death of G.S. Alexander. He has also filled the position of City Attorney of Robinson for eight years. In 1877, he entered into partnership with Hon. E. Callahan, and became the junior partner of the law firm of Callahan & Jones. In 1886 he was elected to the Illinois state legislature from his district, and served one term, 1886-1888. Between 1898 and 1899 he was appointed president of the board of trustees of the Illinois Eastern Normal School, which later became Eastern Illinois University at Charleston. He was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. In politics he was a Republican and Secretary of the Republican County Central Committee for over thirty years. He twice was a delegate to the Republican National Convention, participating in the nominations of William McKinley and President Taft. On the national scene he was president of the National Association of State Food and Dairy Departments, which is composed of all the state food commissioners from every state as well as the national food officials. He became a recognized authority on the subject of food and dairy products.

Mr. Jones was married 18 June 1872 in Warren County, Indiana to Miss Matilda Ellen Thompson. One child was born of this marriage in 1874, Gustavus, and Hanby?s wife died shortly afterwards. On 26 Nov 1878 he was married a second time to Miss Catherine ?Kit? Beals, of Robinson. They had one child, Roscoe, who died of scarlet fever at age 3 in 1883.

Mr. Jones was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being a trustee of the church and was chairman of the building committee that built the new Methodist Episcopal church in Robinson. He did not have more opportunities than the average man, but he never allowed one to slip past, and no matter how small it was he did his level best, so that he never failed to leave behind him an impression of faithfulness to details.
SOURCES:
Basic information from:
History of Crawford County, Part IV. Robinson Township, page 65 and page 241
History of Southern Illinois, page 1486-1489. Online access at http://www.memoriallibrary.com/IL/South/Bios/J/Jones~Alfred.htm
MRTS: October 2010

Alfred married Matilda Ellen Thompson on 18 Jun 1872 in Warren Co, Indiana. Matilda was born about 1851 in Indiana; died on 10 Oct 1874 in Crawford Co, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Alfred married Catherine A. "Kit" Beals on 26 Nov 1878 in Crawford Co, Ilinois. Catherine was born on 2 Apr 1858 in Pickerington, Fairfield Co, Ohio; died on 16 Feb 1943 in Robinson, Crawford Co, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]