J Russel Jones grew up in my hometown in the 1830s on the banks of the Rock River, and at the age of 15 he left home and went to Chicago, which was a brand new city being built on the shores of Lake Michigan. He heard of a lead mining town that was booming, and, at age 17 he made the decision to go there to look for opportunities. .
Taking the loan of an old white horse from his cousin and selling some coon skins, he rode to Galena, Illinois. . Upon arrival buying a hat with his only remaining dollar.*source
He got a job working for a mercantile business where, without an education, he made a great impression and by 1846 at age 23 he became full partner in Campbell's steamboat enterprises. By 1857, married with family, he moved them into the big Victorian mansion which he had just built, now known as the Belvidere Manision.
Jones became United States Marshall to Congress and throughout the Civil War was a champion of General Ulysses S. Grant, who also had ties to Galena. Jones went on to become ambassador to Belgium.
The mansion consists of 5,000 square feet and 22 rooms, and is now used to exhibit a hodgepodge of rather incredible historical items ranging from the famous drapes used on the movie set of Gone with the Wind to items from the flamboyant entertainer Liberace's estate.
Although it is still a private residence, the current owners invite visitors for guided tours for half the year. There is a fascinating selection of items purchased over the years, including this first edition autographed copy of Ulysses S. Grant's book
Grant, Ulysses S. PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF U. S. GRANT
The two volumes were written during the last year of Grant's life, and published just days before he died a painful death from terminal throat cancer.
The white chair next to the table where Grant's book is displayed was owned by John Fitzgerald Kennedy. It has added lumbar support for the back pain that Kennedy endured cased by injuries he received during World War II.
The home showcases ornate woodwork, antiques and an incredible collection of chandeliers.
The story that was told about this amazing Tiffany Chandelier was that it was originally in a mansion in Dubuque Iowa, on the other side of the Mississippi River from Galena. The owners were approached with a request to purchase this lamp but the request was denied. When the Dubuque home came up for sale, the entire mansion was purchased and the Tiffany chandelier removed and hung in the Belvidere Manision.
The home has many elegant chandeliers.
This mirror and two chairs were once owned by Marie Antoinette.
One of the most anticipated parts of the tour was getting to see these green velvet drapes.
Anyone who has ever seen the movie Gone With the Wind will recognize them instantly!
These are the originals from the 1940 movie set.
Everywhere you look in the Belvidere Manision there is something of interest!
I think you could spend a week here and still not see everything there is to see!
