John W. Jones

Courtesy of Wikipedia

John W. Jones is an essential part of Elmira’s abolitionist history and the definition of Black Excellence. As an agent on the Underground Railroad, he assisted over 800 freedom seekers make their way to freedom. As a sexton, he buried Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and treated each one with the utmost respect. His determination and work ethic made him the wealthiest black man in upstate New York.

I hadn’t heard of John Jones before I visited Elmira, New York