SAMUEL H. JONES. - Among the representative citizens of Springfield none are more deserving of mention in this volume than Samuel H. Jones, who was for many years prominently identified with the business and financial interests of the city, but is now practically living a retired life. He was born in Louisa county, Virginia, October 17, 1923, and is of Welsh descent, his paternal great-grandfather having come to this country from Wales at an early day. His father, Samuel Jones, was also a native of Louisa county, Virginia, and was a son of Henson Jones. The former grew to manhood in the county of his nativity and there married Lucy Desper, a daughter of Isom Desper, who was also a representative of an early Virginian family. The father of our subject, who was a farmer by occupation, continued to make his home in Louisa county, Virginia, until 1831, and then removed to Ohio, locating first in Ross county but removing a year later to Pike county, that state, where in the midst of the forest he cleared and improved a farm. He died there in 1845 and his wife passed away in 1841. In their family were twelve children, all born in Louisa county, Virginia, and all now deceased with the exception of Samuel H. and John R. The latter is a resident of Williamsville, Illinois.

Samuel H. Jones worked in field and meadow during is boyhood and youth, the summer being spent in that way, while through the winter season he attended school for about three months each year. He remained at home until sixteen years of age, when he started out to make his own way in the world and whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the direct reward of his earnest purpose and diligence. He was employed upon a farm and handled stock in a small way until 1850, when he began gathering up herds of cattle, which he drove east over the mountains, sometimes going as far as New York city. For some time he continued to make these trips, which often consumed three months, and he also engaged in feeding cattle and hogs.

It was in 1850 that Mr. Jones came to Springfield, where in 1852 he commenced handling livestock which he shipped by rail to the eastern markets, mostly over the Chicago & Alton Railroad. He eventually became one of the leading buyers and shippers of this city, devoting all of his time and attention to the business for some years. Having purchased a good tract of land in Sangamon county, he stocked it with cattle, hogs and horses, and at the same time carried on extensive farming interests as a producer of grain. He and his brother-in-law, John Prather, became the owner of some eleven thousand acres of land in this county at an early day and Mr. Jones still has twenty-four hundred acres, all under cultivation and splendidly improved. In 1868 he removed from his farm to Springfield, where he has since lived, and in 1870 joined Shelby M. Cullom and John Prather in organizing the State National Bank, of which he was the active manager for many years. After serving as cashier for three years he was chosen president of the bank and remained for twenty-one years at the head of the institution, which became one of the most reliable and substantial financial concerns of central Illinois, owing in no small degree to the capable administration and business-like efforts of Mr. Jones. In 1896, however, he retired from the management of the bank and sold his interest in order that he might devote his time to the supervision of his farms and other property, but at the present time is renting his farm land.

In 1857 occurred the marriage of Mr. Jones and Miss Emma Jones, of Clark county, Ohio, who though of the same name was not a relative. One daughter was born of this union, Mabel, now the wife of John Cook of Springfield. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Second Presbyterian church and is a most estimable lady.

Originally Mr. Jones was a Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican party he became identified with that body and has never wavered in his allegiance thereto. He has held a number of important political positions, having been appointed in 1871 by General Grant to the office of pension agent. He also served as a member of the board of commissioners of the Joliet prison for sixteen years, being first appointed by Governor Cullom, and was elected a member of the forty-third general assembly. He served on the banking and finance committee, also on the committee on penal and reformatory institutions, and on several others of minor importance. Fraternally he is a member of the blue lodge of Masons at Williamsville and while residing at that place was quite active in the order. He takes an active interest in anything tending to advance the material welfare of his adopted city and county and is recognized as a most valued and useful citizen. Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Springfield who occupies a more enviable position in business and financial circles than does Samuel H. Jones, for his record has ever been one which would bear the closest scrutiny and investigation and not the slightest taint of dishonor could be found in connection with his transactions with his fellow men. The State National Bank, which for many years was under his control, attests his capable management, and his extensive farming interests are also proof of his energy and sound judgment.