b. May 8, 1811, in Georgetown, District of Columbia; d. December 20, 1857, in Pekin, Illinois. After completing his academic studies, Jones began studying law with John Marbury and also attended Virginia Law School at Winchester. Jones was admitted to the Virginia bar in March of 1830. Shortly thereafter, Jones moved to Springfield, Illinois. Jones served in the Black Hawk War. After the war, Samuel Lockwood appointed Jones as clerk of the Tazewell County Circuit Court, and he moved to the county seat of Pekin. Three years later, he resumed his private law practice. In June of 1846 Jones volunteered to fight in the Mexican War where he participated in the storming of Vera Cruz and fought at the Battle of Cerro Gordo. After the war, he returned to Pekin, Illinois, and continued the practice of law.