Jones, George Wallace, 1804-1896

George Wallace Jones (1804-1896), born in Vincennes, Indiana, was a prominent jurist and politician in the upper mid-west region of the United States. He graduated from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky in 1825. After being admitted to the bar, Jones moved to Michigan Territory where he worked as a miner and storekeeper; served in the Black Hawk War; and was a judge of the county court. He served as congressman from Michigan (1835-1837) and as one of the state of Iowa's first U. S. senators (1848-1859) after it was admitted as a state. Due to his close friendship with Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Jones was accused of disloyalty by Secretary of State William Seward and arrested in 1861. President Lincoln released him from jail after 34 days of captivity. He died and is buried in Dubuque, Iowa. Jones County, Iowa, is named in his honor.

From the description of Jones, George Wallace, papers, circa 1787-1840 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 298213612

One of the first senators from Iowa and served as such for twelve years.

From the description of Letters, 1844-1896. (University of Iowa Libraries). WorldCat record id: 122504322

American senator and diplomat.

From the description of Letter signed : Washington, D. C., to President Buchanan, 1859 Mar. 9. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270495248

Born in Vincennes, Ind. Apr 12,1804; grad. from Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky., 1825; stu. law & was admit. to the bar; clerk of the U.S. courts, in Missouri, 1826; moved to Michigan; member of U.S. Congress, 1835-39; surveyor of public lands for Wisconsin & Iowa, 1840-41 & 1845-48; U.S. Senator, 1848-59; minister resident of U.S. to New Granada, 1859-61; retired from public and returned to Dubuque, Iowa, where he died,July 22, 1896. (from Biogr. Congr. direct.) (blue index cards)

From the description of George Wallace Jones correspondence, 1891 June 20 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 451134852

Jones was born in Vincennes, Indiana. He later moved to Kentucky where he studied law at Transylvania University. After being admitted to the bar he moved to Michigan where he served as a judge in the local county court, and later represented the Michigan Territory as a delegate in Congress from 1835 until 1837. He then became the first Congressional delegate from the Territory of Wisconsin and was one of the first two senators to represent Iowa in the United States Senate (1848-1859) after Iowa became a state in 1846. Jones was appointed to a diplomatic post in New Granada in 1859. When he returned to the United States in 1861 he was arrested on the charge of disloyalty, based upon correspondence with Jefferson Davis. After 34 days he was released by order of President Abraham Lincoln. Jones retired and moved to Dubuque, Iowa.

From the description of George Wallace Jones correspondence and miscellaneous papers [microform], 1810-1896. (State Historical Society of Iowa, Library). WorldCat record id: 184718135

George Wallace Jones (1804-1896), born in Vincennes, Indiana, was a prominent jurist and politician in the upper mid-west region of the United States. He graduated from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky in 1825. After being admitted to the bar, Jones moved to Michigan Territory where he worked as a miner and storekeeper; served in the Black Hawk War; and was a judge of the county court. He served as congressman from Michigan (1835-1837) and as one of the state of Iowa’s first U. S. senators (1848-1859) after it was admitted as a state. Due to his close friendship with Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Jones was accused of disloyalty by Secretary of State William Seward and arrested in 1861. President Lincoln released him from jail after 34 days of captivity. He died and is buried in Dubuque, Iowa. Jones County, Iowa, is named in his honor.

Sources: Jones, George Wallace, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress [Online].

From the guide to the George Wallace Jones Papers 2008-310., circa 1787-1840, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)