George Wallace Jones

For other people named George W. Jones, see George W. Jones (disambiguation).

George Wallace Jones
United States Senator from Iowa
In office December 7, 1848 – March 3, 1859
Preceded by	(none)
Succeeded by	James W. Grimes
Personal details
Political party	Democratic
Profession	Politician, Lawyer, Judge, Miner, Storekeeper

George Wallace Jones (April 12, 1804 – July 22, 1896) was born in Vincennes, Indiana. He was among the first two United States Senators to represent the state of Iowa after it was admitted to the Union 1846. He served two terms, from December 7, 1848 to March 3, 1859.

Early life

Jones was born in Vincennes, Indiana and later moved to Kentucky where he attended Transylvania University in 1825, and studied law. Once he was admitted to the bar he moved to Sinsinawa Mound in Michigan Territory where he worked as a miner and a storekeeper.

In 1832, Jones fought the Sauk and Fox Indians in the Black Hawk War.

Jones was 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, which was formed from a portion of the Michigan Territory. He continued to represent the Territory of Wisconsin until 1839.

George W. Jones in his elder years.

Senate

Jones then served in the United States Senate from Iowa serving from December 7, 1848 to March 3, 1859. He was Chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills, the Committee on Pensions, and the Committee on Enrolled Bills. He served two terms before failing to be renominated.

Later life

Jones was appointed as Minister Resident of the United States to New Granada in 1859. Upon returning to the United States in 1861, Jones was arrested by order of Secretary of State William H. Seward on the charge of disloyalty, based upon correspondence with his friend Jefferson Davis. Jones was held for 34 days, until he was released by order of President Abraham Lincoln.

Jones then retired and moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where he died on July 22, 1896.

Jones County, Iowa was named in his honor. In 1912, the State Historical Society of Iowa published the biography George Wallace Jones, by John Carl Parish.

External links

• United States Congress. "George Wallace Jones (id: J000221)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• George Wallace Jones at Find a Grave