Alfred D. Jones

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Alfred D. Jones
8th Speaker of the Nebraska Territorial House of Representatives
In office
December 2, 1861 – January 10, 1862
Preceded byHenry W. DePuy
Succeeded byGeorge B. Lake
Personal details
Born(1814-01-13)January 13, 1814
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedAugust 30, 1902(1902-08-30) (aged 88)
Omaha, Nebraska
Spouse
Sophronia Reeves
​
(m. 1847)​
OccupationLawyer, surveyor, politician
Signature

Alfred D. Jones (January 13, 1814 – August 30, 1902) was a late 19th-century lawyer, surveyor and politician in the

legislators of the Nebraska Territory.[3]

Biography

Alfred D. Jones was born in Philadelphia in 1814.[4] He was appointed to the clerkship of the district court in Polk County, Iowa in 1846,[5] and in July he platted Fort Des Moines.[1] Jones married Sophronia Reeves on September 15, 1847,[4][6] and in 1849 he opened a store in Madison County, Iowa where he became the postmaster.[7]

In March 1853 Jones was instrumental in the foundation of Harrison County, Iowa as a county commissioner. He determined the location of the county seat of Magnolia and platted that town as well.[8] In May 1853 he was employed as the surveyor of Council Bluffs, Iowa.[9]

In the fall of 1853 Jones crossed the Missouri River to stake a claim that he called "Park Wilde". He was accompanied by Thomas Allen and William Allen, and their claims were allowed to stand by the local Indian agent before a treaty was signed with the local tribes in possession of the land.[10]

Early in 1854 Jones spoke with William D. Brown, suggesting that a city be built on the land he claimed in Nebraska Territory.

stovepipe hat to deliver the mail from.[12]

Later in July 1854 Jones became instrumental in the establishment of the vigilante

posse throughout its existence.[2]

In 1859 Jones participated in the citizens' committee of Omaha that called upon the federal government to build the first transcontinental railroad across the Platte River Valley of Nebraska.[14] This effort eventually led to the establishment of the Union Pacific Railroad headquarters in Omaha.

In a speech to the territorial legislature in opposition to a territorial bank law, he said he would like to have on his gravestone the words "Here lies an honest man who voted against Wild Cat Banks in Nebraska."[15] Jones died in Omaha on August 30, 1902.[4][16]

Legacy

Aside from the success of the cities he platted, Jones Street in Omaha was named in tribute to him.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Gue, B.F. (1903) History of Iowa from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century. Century History Company. p 402.
  2. ^ a b (1888) History of Douglas County. Andreas' History of Nebraska. p 18. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  3. ^ "Omaha's First Century," Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  4. ^ a b c The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. XII. James T. White & Company. 1904. p. 421. Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Dixon, J.M. (1876) Centennial History of Polk County, Iowa. Polk County Board of Supervisors. p 109.
  6. ^ "Alfred D. Jones." Archived September 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Omaha Public Schools. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  7. ^ Gue, B.F. (1903) History of Iowa from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century. Century History Company. p 381.
  8. ^ "Harrison County Iowa History Index" Archived 2007-08-27 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  9. ^ Roenfeld, R. "Sam Bayliss on Broadway." Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Historical Society of Pottawattamie County. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  10. ^ Omaha Illustrated. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  11. ^ "Founding Omaha,"[usurped] Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 8/14/07.
  12. ^ "Early Post Office" Archived October 7, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. Early Omaha: Gateway to the West. Omaha Public Library. Retrieved September 17, 2007. – Includes historic photo of Jones.
  13. ^ (1888) History of Douglas County. Andreas' History of Nebraska. p 9. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  14. ^ "Railroads", Andreas' History of Nebraska. p 1. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  15. ^ a b "Street Names" Archived October 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Douglas County Historical Society. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  16. ^ "Omaha's First Postmaster". The Kansas City Star. Omaha. August 30, 1902. p. 1. Retrieved August 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

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