Patrick H. Jones

Patrick H. Jones
Jones circa 1860-1870
Born	Patrick Henry Jones (1830-11-20)November 20, 1830 County Westmeath, Ireland
Died	July 23, 1900(1900-07-23) (aged 69) Port Richmond, New York
Cause of death	Cardiac failure
Resting place	St. Peter's Cemetery, West New Brighton, New York
Nationality	Irish-American
Occupation	Lawyer, public servant and postmaster
Known for	Served as New York City postmaster from 1869-1872; an officer in the "Irish Rifles" and "Hardtack regiment" during the American Civil War.
Home town	Cattaraugus County, New York
Political party	Republican
Children	4 sons

Patrick Henry Jones (November 20, 1830 – July 23, 1900) was an American lawyer, public servant and Postmaster of New York City during the mid-to late 19th century. In 1878, he was involved in the Alexander T. Stewart bodysnatching case when he was contacted by the kidnappers to act as an intermediary between themselves and the Stewart estate. When negotiations stalled between the Stewart family's lawyer Henry Hilton, he assisted Stewart's widow in negotiating for the return of her husband's body.

Jones also had a successful military career serving with the Union Army during the American Civil War, being involved in thirty major battles and countless skirmishes, and reaching the rank of brigadier general before the war's end. He was one of ten Irish-Americans to become brigade commanders and one of four Irish born officers to become a divisional commander.

Born in County Westmeath, Ireland on November 20, 1830, Jones attended grammar school in Dublin for three years until emigrating with his family to the United States in 1840. They settled on a farm in Cattaraugus County, New York where Jones would spend most of his childhood. Because of his poor background, he received only a limited education at the Union School in Ellicottville. In 1850, the 20-year-old Jones became involved in journalism and traveled as a correspondent throughout the Western States for a leading New York journal. He later became the local editor for the Buffalo Republic and one of the editors of the Buffalo Sentinel.

Eventually, Jones decided to pursue a career in law and later studied under the firm of Addison Rice. He was admitted to the bar in 1856 and afterwards practiced law with Addison in Ellicottville as a full partner. By 1860, he had established himself as one of the most prominent lawyers in western New York. A lifelong Democrat, he became disillusioned by the party's support of Southern succession from the Union and, in May 1861, decided to join the military in defense of the United States.