The Story of the Jones House in Pontiac, Illinois

John Dehner was very successful in the early portion of his life. He was worth $936, 000 in today's dollars by 1860. He established and ran a very successful dry goods mercantile business in Pontiac. He served in Livingston County government offices including serving as Township Supervisor for four years. He helped to build the first Livingston County Jail. John Dehner served as an officer in the early Livingston County Fairs.
John Dehner tried to improve Pontiac by successfully getting the Chicago & Paducah as a second railroad for the county. He tried but was unsuccessful in getting a new state mental asylum to be built in Pontiac. Judge Henry Jones and his son, Henry C. Jones, both led successful lives. Henry Jones ran a successful business in Pontiac. Henry Jones helped build the first bridge over the Vermilion River in 1847.
He was elected a County Commissioner in 1848. In 1851, Henry Jones and Henry Loveless laid out the town of Richmond, just east of Pontiac. Unfortunately the railroad missed Richmond by just two miles, and Richmond became a ghost town. Henry Jones and his business partner, Edwin Charles Jones, built the first brick structure in Livingston County around 1856 at 315 W. Howard Street. Henry Jones was elected to be a Livingston County Judge.
After making three journeys to the California gold fields, Judge Henry Jones stayed in California. He became a pioneer settler in Shasta, California. Henry C. Jones was involved with several businesses including the Pontiac Sentinel newspaper, the first electric light plant in Pontiac, and the first artificial ice company in Pontiac. He also lived in Texas and sold supplies to many different newspapers.
Henry C. Jones eventually married and moved into the Jones House around 1900. His father, Judge Henry Jones helped to build the first brick structure in Pontiac around 1856, and his son, Henry C. Jones lived in the oldest brick house in Pontiac built in 1858. Unfortunately, the oldest brick structure in Livingston County that Henry Jones built at 315 W. Howard St. was torn down in 1989. The oldest brick house in Pontiac at 314 E.
Madison Street was severely damaged by a major fire in 1975. This house was saved from the wrecking ball when Francis E. Leman and Reid Tombaugh bought the house in 1976. Through the efforts and donations from countless citizens, the Jones House was fully restored. Every year, many residents and visitors enjoy touring this fascinating pre-Civil War brick home. It is hoped this book will help to inform future generations about the history of the Jones House and the families that lived in it.