Colonel William Jones House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Col. William Jones House
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South facade
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Boone Street, Gentryville, Indiana |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1834 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000050 |
| Added to NRHP | May 12, 1975 |
The Colonel William Jones House, also known as the William Jones State Historic Site, is an old house in Gentryville, Indiana. It's part of the Lincoln State Park in Spencer County, Indiana. This house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 12, 1975.
William Jones (1803–1864) was a busy man. He was a farmer, a store owner, a soldier, and even a politician. He lived, farmed, and ran a store in the Little Pigeon Creek Community. This area is now part of Gentryville. Abraham Lincoln, who lived nearby as a young man, even worked in Jones's store! During the American Civil War, Jones became a high-ranking officer. He sadly died in the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864.
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Who Was William Jones?
William Jones was born on January 5, 1803, in Vincennes, Indiana. His parents were Peter and Sarah Keller Jones. William grew up around important people and events. He also got a good education. He learned about business by working for a large dry goods company in Louisville, Kentucky.
He married Fanny Payne, but their two young children passed away. William then moved from Kentucky. In 1827, he opened a very successful store in Jonesboro, Spencer County, Indiana. He lived in a simple log cabin nearby. In 1830, he married Rachel Oskins. They had five sons together.
Jones's Business and Lincoln's Connection
William Jones bought and sold many goods. He also traded items with farmers. He shipped their grain, tobacco, animal hides, pork, venison, and beef to New Orleans. He used flatboats to send these goods down the river. Jones also became the local postmaster.
In 1829, Jones hired young Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln lived just a few miles from Jones's store. Lincoln helped butcher meat and unpack boxes. Lincoln also read all of Jones's books. Jones once said that "Lincoln would make a great man one of these days."
Jones's Political Life and the Civil War
In 1838, William Jones was elected to the Indiana General Assembly. This was Indiana's state government. He worked to improve roads and help the economy grow. He served in this role until 1841.
Jones strongly supported the Whig Party and its leader, Henry Clay. When Clay lost a presidential election, Jones was very upset for days. Lincoln, who was also a Whig, had heard Jones's political ideas. Lincoln even campaigned for Clay in 1844. At that time, Lincoln stayed at the Jones House. Later, both Jones and Lincoln became Republicans when the Whig party ended.
In the 1850s, Jones moved to Gentryville, Indiana. He opened another store there. During the American Civil War, Jones became a high-ranking officer for the Union army. He was a colonel in the 53rd Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. He fought bravely in battles like the Siege of Corinth and the Battle of Atlanta. Sadly, he died in the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864. He was wounded in his head and both legs. His body was buried at the Marietta National Cemetery in Georgia.
About the Jones House
William Jones built his house around 1834. It was built across the street from his log cabin. He built it after his businesses made him wealthy. The house is a one-story brick building with five rooms. It's built in the Federal style. Later, around 1887, a Greek-style front porch with columns was added. The house also has a small loft and a captain's walk on the roof.
It's said that Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, built the corner cupboard in the kitchen. The house sits on one of the highest spots in the area. The Jones Home shows how people became richer and how the economy changed during that time. It represents successful business owners who stayed in Southern Indiana.
Later Owners and Preservation
In the early 1850s, Jones moved his store to Gentryville. The house then had several different owners. In 1887, George and Arietta Bullock bought the house. It stayed in their family until 1976. Then, Gayle and Bill Cook bought it and fixed it up.
The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. In 1990, the house and 100 acres of land were given to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Jonesboro Settlement
About a dozen cabins were built near William Jones's first house and store. By 1831, this small area became known as Jonesboro. This is not the same as the current Jonesboro, Indiana in Grant County. Besides Jones's house and store, the settlement had a school, a doctor's office, and a blacksmith. Jonesboro was mostly forgotten after Jones moved his store and post office to Gentryville.
