The Russellville Democrat., 1883-05-10

man who left behind MIN lrlends,
the endearments Of home and the
attractions Of civilized life to buffet
the storms and hurricanes Of q wild,
unsettled and uncultiyated region de-
priyed of the comforts of culture, so
ciety and exposed to the hardships
and dangers of the frontier. TO
such, we, who enjoy the blessings OF
this land overfowing with milk and
honey, dotted with fruitful farms
and picturesque villages, adorned
with thriving cities and elegant
churches and school edifices, are
under lasting obligations, and can
not too often refer to his deeds and
sersices with respect and gratitude.
1t is especially the case with those
who occupy the position Of represen-
tative pioneer. Our city was favored
last week by brief visit from one
of these men, the Hon. Geo. w. Jones,
of Dubuque, reference to whose
career and early settlement in the
country may not be uninteresting to
our citizens.
Gen. Jones descended from dis
tingulshed family in Missouri; his
father was Judge Jones, member
of the Supreme Court Bench and a
prominent member Of the first con
stitutional convention Of that state,
taking a leading part in the forma-
ton of it's Fundamental law. After
graduating from the Transylvania
University Of Kentucky, the subject
of this sketch applied himself to
the study of law and was admitted
to the bar in 1926. Overlooking
with the spirit of adventure, he
could not content himself with the
plodding life Of an attorney in the
slow growing town Of st. Genevieve,
and in 1927 packed his carpet sack
and started for the lead mines OF
Galena, where he arrived and estap-
lished himself in the business OF
mining and smelling lead at Singh
nawa Mound. In his rough buck
skin dress, living in an unknown
log hut, subsistlng on pork and corn
bread, surrounded by Indians and a
few hardy pioneer seekers like him
self after fortune, he drove a thrifty
trade, until the breaking out of the
Black Hawk war, when he joined the
command of Col. Henry Dodge, the
sturdy, gallant defender Of the PEG
pie of the upper Mississippi valley
and the oonqueror of the blood
thirsty Black Hawks, as aid .de camp,
and distinguished himself as an alert,
efficient and courageous officer. At
ter the war closed, the people sought
out such men as Henry Dodge and
Geo. W. Jones to represent them in
civil positions. Gen. Jones was first
invited to otiiciate as county clerk Of
Grant county, Wisconsin, the duties
of which office he discharged with
ability and proptness, until his serv-
ices were demanded in a higher po-
sition. Wisconsin was then attach
ed to the Territory of Michigan fol-
legislative and judicial purposes, and
Gen. Jones was elected DELEGATE to
represent its people in Congress, and
1T is only necessary to witness the
enthusiasm Of the old pioneers when
his name is brought to their atten-
ton to learn how well he performed
his duty as delegate. He had not
been IN Congress long when Iowa
was also attached to Michigan for
legislative and judicial purposes,
and in his capacity as delegate,
Gen. Jones became the favorite rep
resentatlve of the few hardy pioneers
who roamed over the wild plains Of
Iowa. This gentleman was instru-
mental IN securing territorial GOV
ernments for Wisconsin and Iowa,
and state government for Mich.
gan and its admission to the Union.
he remained in Congress until Wis
consin and Iowa were organized into
territories, when land district for
surveying the lands of Wisconsin
and Iowa, was organized and Gen
Jones was appointed Surveyor Gen.
eral with headquarters at Dubuque
In this capacity he served with dis
tinguished ability, while his more
youthful pioneer companion in the
Black Hawk war and drudgery OF
the lead mines of Wisconsin, Gen
A. G. Dodge, was serving, with equal
ability, as a delegate in Congress
from Iowa, until the state govern
ment was organized and both were
called by the spontaneous action OF
the people to serve them, as then
first representatives IN the United
States Senate. AS delegates from
Iowa, they were instrumental in Sc
curing a munificent grant of lands
for school purposes and for the Des
Moines river improvement, and as
Senators in securing the three great
east and west trunk lines Of railroad
and several appropriations for the
Improvement of the rapids Of the
Upper Mississippi. They were in
strumental in procuring the estab
lishment of various land offices in
the state and appropriations fol
public buildings and other minor
matters. On their retirement from
the Senate, Gen. Dodge was sent as
Minister to Spain and Gen. Jones as
Minister to New Granada. Both
gentlemen acquitted themselves hon
orably in these positions.
Gen. Jones never distinguished
himself as q speaker on The floor 81