Jonas, Benjamin F.

Born: 1834-07-19 Kentucky

Died: 1911-12-21 New Orleans, Louisiana

Flourished: 1853 to 1911 New Orleans, Louisiana

Benjamin F. Jonas, attorney and public official, was the son of Abraham Lincoln’s acquaintance, Abraham Jonas. The younger Jonas was born in Williamstown, Kentucky and moved with his family to Adams County, Illinois as a child. Following his early education in Adams County, Jonas relocated to New Orleans in 1853, where he studied law at the University of Louisiana (later Tulane University). He qualified at the bar in 1855 and commenced the practice of law in New Orleans. Jonas enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1862 and served throughout the Civil War, resuming his legal career after his service as well as entering into politics. He married Josephine Block and was survived by two children. In religion, Jonas was Jewish, and politically he was a Democrat.

Isaac Markens, Abraham Lincoln and the Jews (New York: Isaac Markens, 1909), 20; Biographical Directory of the American Congress 1774-1996 (Alexandria, VA: CQ Staff Directories, 1997), 1300; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), North Ward, Quincy, Adams County, IL, 227; Register of Matriculates in the Law Department, University of Louisiana, 1854-55—1871-1872, manuscript in Tulane University Archives Historic Collection, New Orleans, LA; Report of the Louisiana Bar Association 14 (1913), 401; The Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA), 22 December 1911, 5:4-5; Gravestone, Dispersed of Judah Cemetery, New Orleans, LA.