Francis G. Jaques. One of the early and most prominent members of the Champaign County bar was Francis G. Jacques, who began practice here prior to the war and continued his work with unabating interest until his death on November 14, 1896.
Mr. Jaques was born in New York City January 5, 1839, a son of Robert Lee and Mary (Cooper) Jaques. Both parents were natives of New Jersey. Mr. Jaques was educated chiefly in New York City, studied law there, and also had a brief experience as a school teacher in Michigan. He came to Champaign at the age of eighteen, and was admitted to the bar before he attained his majority. His unusual talent, his thorough knowledge, and his well balanced character made him a successful figure in his profession and he was widely known arid esteemed all over eastern Illinois.
On September 11, 1860, Mr. Jaques married Eliza J. Park, a native of Ohio. Mrs. Jaques survived her husband twenty years, passing away September 6, 1916. She was the mother of four children: William Park, of Urbana; Minnie, assistant cashier of the Urbana Banking Company; Robert Lee, of Lafayette, Indiana; and Fred S., deceased. The late Mr. Jaques was thoroughly independent in his political affiliations. He was a Knight Templar Mason.