Brief biographies of the figurines on display in ... - University Library

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MRS. JAMES T. JONES
(Jane Ridgely)
Mrs. Jaue Ridgely Jones was born at Springfield,
Illinois, on January 28, 1846, <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong> Nicholas
H. and Jane Huntington Ridgely. She was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
large and well-known Ridgely family, whose home stood
at <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> Sixth Street and Lawrence Avenue,
Springfield, Illinois, where <strong>the</strong> Franklin Life Insurance
Building now stands. Their home was a center <strong>of</strong> hospitality
and music. Every music lover was welcome
<strong>the</strong>re, and programs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> best in music were <strong>of</strong>ten
heard.
Jane Ridgely married James T. Jones on September
9, 1873. Four children were born to <strong>the</strong>m. Mrs. Jones
both played <strong>the</strong> piano and sang, and when she married
she carried <strong>the</strong> same atmosphere <strong>of</strong> music and hospitality
into her new home. When a very young girl she
sang in St. Paul's Church Choir, and was one <strong>of</strong> those
who sang at Abraham Lincoln's funeral.
Mrs. Jones was a charter member <strong>of</strong> Christ Episcopal
Church, and was a leader in church activities, <strong>of</strong>ten
having fairs and entertainments in her own spacious
home. She entertained <strong>the</strong>ir first minister for three
months, and was noted for her generous hospitality.
Every
For many years she was a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Wednesday Literary Club. She was a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
old Dramatic Club, taking part in many amateur plays.
Mrs. Jones died November 28, 1925, in Springfield,
where she had lived her entire life.