My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE B. JONES, Esq., the Nestor of the Cortland County bar, is a resident of Cortland, but his name and reputation are well known throughout Central New York. The legal fraternity of Cortland County has on its honor roll many names of men, good and true, but there is none more deservingly inscribed thereon than that of the subject of this sketch.

Mr. Jones comes of sturdy Welsh and English stock, transplanted first to the green hills of Vermont, and then to Cortland’s fair environs. Charles Jones was the grandfather of our subject, and he left a name that will ever be cherished by his descendants. At the age of fifteen, before the echo of the muskets fired at Lexington and Concord had died away, he left his home, and cast in his fortune with the gathering colonial troops, becoming one of Washington’s aides. Not long after he had the misfortune to be taken prisoner, and like many other poor mortals, he was shut down under the decks of a British vessel. More intrepid than his wretched companions, under cover of the night, he threw himself into the sea, and swam four miles to the nearest land. He reached the shore in a sorry plight, being divested of all garments, except shirt and trousers, and in a very exhausted condition. He at last arrived in New York City, where he found a friend, who supplied him with a coat, and another who gave him a small sum of money, with which equipment he trudged back to his home among the Green Mountains. He married a Miss Joy, who bore him eleven children, by name: Joshua; Squire; Warren: Simeon; Charles, Jr.; Lovell; William; Mrs. Brandley; Betsey; Polly; and Leafy. After he had reared his family he migrated to Nelson, Cortland County, N. Y., where he remained for a time; then moved to De Ruyter, Madison County, where he died at the age of eighty.

Squire Jones, son of the preceding, and father of our subject, was born in Poultney, Vermont, where he spent his younger days. While a young man he went to Albany, and began the study of medicine with Dr. Barthrup, and also attended the Medical College of New York City. Graduating, he commenced the practice of medicine in Hillsdale, N. Y., and followed the medical profession there for twelve years. At the end of that period, he purchased a farm in Homer, Cortland County, to which he removed, and there spent the remainder of his days, practicing his profession and devoting his extra time to agricultural duties. His wife, Ann, daughter of George Bushnell, of Hillsdale, N. Y., reached the age of eighty-six, while her husband died at seventy-six. Their children were: George B., our subject; Walter; William; Julia (Staat); and Benton B.

George B. Jones was born in Hillsdale, N. Y., January 31, 1821, and laid the foundation of his education in the schools of his native town and at Cazenovia Seminary and Homer Academy. He studied law with Hon. Josiah Sutherland, of Hudson, N. Y., being admitted to the bar in 1848. His first field of practice was at McGrawville, Cortland County, where he remained nine years. He then came to Cortland, the county seat, and has there since resided, successfully prosecuting the diversified duties of his profession. Mr. Jones is a strong Republican. He cast his first vote for Gen. John C. Fremont, and from that time has been a hard and uncompromising worker for his party. In his younger days he was an especially ready and talented speaker, and as a stump orator and political lecturer enjoyed great popularity. He made many speeches through Cortland and the adjoining counties, and his active influence was a great factor in the advancement of his party to political power. The people of Cortland County recognized Mr. Jones’ capacities by making him district attorney for two terms. He has also served them as loan commissioner, as excise commissioner, and as justice of the peace. In 1849, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Foster, and to them was given one son, George F. Jones. Our subject is active in religious as well as secular life, and is at the present writing a deacon in the Congregational Church. He has led a long, a busy, and a successful life, which has won for him the love, the esteem, and the respect of all who have come into friendly contact with him.