Addison

JONES, Rollin J.

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 226-227 
(portrait p 226)

Rollin J. JONES, of West Cornwall [Addison County, Vermont], was born 12 
November 1819 in Cornwall [Addison County, Vermont], son of Arnzi and 
Hepzibath (HARVEY) JONES. His mother was a relative of James HERVEY, M. A., 
one of the most popular English authors of the eighteenth century. [The 
spelling "HARVEY" is not a typo for HERVEY; the name has undergone a change 
in spelling.] His father was a great grandson of Benjamin JONES, who was 
an officer in the English army. His progenitors came to America in the early 
settlement of the country. Rollin J. JONES received his education at the 
commons schools in Cornwall, and afterward went to Hinesburgh Academy 
[Chittenden County, Vermont] and from thence to the high school at Saco [York 
County], Maine.

Mr. JONES owns one of the most productive farms in the state, and he has 
followed agricultural pursuits chiefly for many years, cultivating the estate 
which has been in the family for over a century. He formerly made a 
specialty of breeding Durham cattle and Merino sheep, but of late years has 
devoted his attention more especially to sheep and horses. Mr. JONES and S. 
S. ROCKWELL originated the business of exporting improved sheep, sending away 
the first lot in 1843. This enterprise first extended to the Mississippi 
River, and in 1860 to the Pacific coast. He made many trips west before any 
railroads were built in that section, and remained on that coast five years, 
having his horses and sheep shipped to him, his headquarters being at San 
Francisco [San Francisco County, California].

Mr. JONES was formerly a Whig, and became a Republican when that party was 
formed [1854]. He has been elected four times to the House of 
Representatives from his town, in 1849, 1850, 1867, and 1868, and three times 
to the Senate, in 1853, 1854, and 1869. He was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention in 1857. In 1870 he accepted the collectorship of 
internal revenue for the first congressional district under President GRANT, 
at the same time refusing to have his name considered for the position of 
lieutenant governor of the state. He was a popular candidate, having never 
been beaten in convention or at the polls, and has declined being a candidate 
for many important offices that seemed easily within his reach. He retired 
from politics early in life, preferring to devote his time to the management 
of his estate.

Mr. JONES has been a member of the Baptist church since 1840. He is one of 
the board of managers of the state Baptist convention for helping destitute 
churches and one of the board of managers of the Baptist State Historical 
Society. He has also held for many years the position of a trustee of 
Saxton's River Academy. He has been a liberal contributor to the Sheldon 
Museum of Middlebury; is a man of literary tastes, quiet and unassuming in 
his manner, yet withal possesses an extended acquaintance and is largely 
influential in the state. On 15 September 1842 in Hinesburgh [Chittenden 
County, Vermont] he [Rollin J. JONES] was married to Flora, daughter of 
Austin and Sarah BEECHER. From this union two daughters were born: Martha 
Grace, and Alice May, both of whom died in youth.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly