Jonas Jones

Who was Jonas Jones?

Jonas Jones was a lawyer, judge, farmer and political figure in Upper Canada.

He was born in Augusta Township, Upper Canada in 1791, the son of Ephraim Jones. He was educated at John Strachan's school in Cornwall and studied law with Levius Peters Sherwood in Elizabethtown. During the War of 1812, he enlisted with the Leeds militia, becoming a captain. He was called to the bar in 1815 and set up a practice in Brockville. In 1816, he was elected to the 7th Parliament of Upper Canada representing Grenville and held that seat until 1828. Although conservative, he had his own views on the protection of individual rights and the independence of the elected assembly. However, he helped unseat Barnabas Bidwell in 1821. In 1822, he opposed the union of Upper and Lower Canada. He supported bills which helped fund the development of the Welland Canal and he was a member of a committee which recommended further improvements of transportation along the Saint Lawrence River. He was appointed judge in the Bathurst and Johnstown District courts.

With his brother Charles Jones, who represented Leeds in the Legislative Assembly, he operated mills at Furnace Falls.