Bronzeville (Douglas) in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

John Jones

1816-1879

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

John Jones Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 28, 2026

1. John Jones Marker

Inscription. Elected to Cook County Board of Commissioners, 1872

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 41° 50.031′ N, 87° 37.011′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Bronzeville (Douglas). It is on South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive north of East 33rd Court, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

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Willie Dixon (within shouting distance of this marker); Bishop Louis Henry Ford (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. Jessie “Ma” Houston (within shouting distance of this marker); Claude Albert Barnett / Etta Moten Barnett (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oscar DePriest (about 300 feet away); Casey "Chicken Charlie" Jones (about 300 feet away); Jesse Binga (about 300 feet away); William L. Dawson (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding John Jones. Born in North Carolina to a German-American father and a mixed-race mother, John Jones settled in Chicago in 1845 and opened a successful tailoring business. He fast emerged as the leader of Chicago's Black community, leading efforts to fight Illinois's discriminatory "Black Laws" and also using his home (near the modern-day 9th Street and Plymouth Court, about three miles north of this plaque) as a station on the Underground Railroad. In being elected to the county's board of commissioners in 1872, he is believed to be the first African American elected to public office in Illinois.

Related marker. Click

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 28, 2026

2. John Jones Marker

here for another marker that is related to this marker. John Jones marker in Springfield, Illinois

Also see . . . John Jones biography. From the State of Illinois Historic Preservation Division.

Excerpt: "Alongside his work on the Underground Railroad, Jones was also elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1871 where he would serve for two terms and helped fight to end segregated schooling in Illinois. After years of activism for African Americans in Illinois, Jones passed away in 1879. He is buried alongside his wife and family in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois which is also the final resting place for twenty-seven other Underground Railroad conductors and helpers."

(Submitted on September 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

John Jones (1816-1879) image. Click for full size.

Aaron E. Darling, artist; courtesy of Chicago History Museum (ICHi-062629), circa 1865

3. John Jones (1816-1879)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.