John George Jones

John George Jones was an African-American lawyer, and state legislator in Chicago, Illinois who advocated for civil rights.

Biography

Jones was Born in Ithaca, New York on September 18, 1849. His family relocated to Chicago in 1856. Jones studied law and was admitted to the Illinois bar on March 24, 1881. Known as "Indignation" Jones, due to his assertiveness as he fought for civil rights in the state of Illinois, he practiced criminal law in his Chicago, Illinois office located at 191 Clark Street. He served in the Illinois House of Representatives for the 5th District of Cook County from 1901 to 1903. Jones died on June 7, 1914, and was interred at the Oakwood Cemetery in Chicago.

He was a very active Prince Hall Freemason and received the 33rd degree. However after failing to be elected as Sovereign Grand Commander, the leader of the United Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite in Prince Hall Freemasonry, he created his own Supreme Council. Ultimately, this led to his expulsion from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1904.
In 2002, the General Grand Masonic Congress dedicated a memorial wall to him Oakwood Cemetery where he is buried.