Biography of

Homer C. Jones, Co B

Lt. Homer C. Jones was one of the seven children of David and Maria (Bothwell) Jones of Athens County, Ohio. Born October 17, 1834, he was educated in the Ohio University at Athens, Ohio and in 1858 was elected County Surveyor of Vinton County, a position in which he served until 1860. Studying law under Judge J. P. Plyley, a prominent member of Athens County society, Homer was admitted to the bar in 1861 by the District Court of Athens County.

With the advent of war breaking out, Homer enlisted in Company B, 18th Ohio Volunteers and reported for duty at Camp Wool, Athens County, Ohio. Shortly before his commission was made effective, he was married to Lou F. Hawk of McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio. Once a part of his regiment, Homer regularly corresponded with the Athens County community by writing numerous letters to the Athens Messenger. In fact, his wife's diversion of gloves and blankets, knitted by the Athens County Soldier's Aid Society, to the 18th Regiment in the early spring of 1862, became quite a swirling controversy within the pages of both the Athens Messenger and Athens Democrat newspapers. Vicious editorials flew back and forth for several weeks.

By virtue of his attending a school for Signal Corps officers as well as being detailed to the Signal Corps, Homer reported for duty on the staff of General T. J. Wood of the Sixth Division and was with this command at the Battle of Shiloh. Colonel Stanley having requested he be reassigned to the 18th as Adjutant, he was reunited with his former regiment only to be selected as Aide-de-Camp to General Negley and remained with him throughout the Battle of Stones River. Once his considerable skills as a staff officer became apparent, he was made Aide-de-Camp to General Thomas and served with him during the Battle of Chickamauga. Returning to the 18th Regiment for the final time in the Spring of 1864, he was persuaded to take command of Company B until the men were mustered out in November of 1864. General Thomas rewarded Capt. Jones with the Brigadier General shoulder straps Gen. Thomas wore at the Battles of Mills Springs, Shiloh, and Stones River.

Returning from the war, he once more took up the practice of law and engaged himself in local political activities. In 1879, he was elected to the Senate and remained active with the Republican State Central Committee. It may be of interest to point out that Homer and his wife Lou had five sons.

No further information is available, but this page will be updated upon the receipt of any biographical note uncovered.

(Information for this biography came from the 1883 History of Hocking Valley, Chapter 45)