Biographical Sketch of John B. Jones
John B. Jones was born on September 1, 1829, in Franklin County, New York. He grew up in Whitehall and, after various trades including ship carpentry and sailing, settled in Illinois in 1857. By March 1 of that year, he had purchased land in Ashmore Township, where he farmed and expanded his operations over the years. In 1871, he built his residence on an eighty-nine-acre farm, having cleared over fifty acres. He married Sarah Smith in 1856 and they had three surviving children.