09/25/2025
Abraham Jonas: A Forgotten Founding Father of Grant County, Kentucky
Could it be possible that some of the most interesting stories, people, and events of local history have never been recorded? While local history is fascinating to many, it is largely written by local writers who descend from people who lived in the same area. Grant County does indeed have a fascinating history and there are many stories that have been told, but admittedly, there are many stories, and very important people that we have missed: People who have moved into our community, made their mark, and then moved on to lead fascinating and productive lives. Take Abraham Jonas for instance, a Jewish Senator, Representative, Freemason, watchmaker, silversmith, and longtime friend of President Abraham Lincoln, whose whole story cannot be found in the writings of Grant County History.
Born in 1801 in Exeter, England, Jonas emigrated first to New York, then to Cincinnati, Ohio along with his brother, making the brothers the first Jewish men to settle west of the Allegheny Mountains. He and his brother, Joseph Jonas, married the daughters of Rabbi Gershom Mendes Seixas, who was also the first Jewish Rabbi born in America. While in Cincinnati, Abraham joined the Freemasons, a secret society that accepted both Jews and Gentiles into its membership, further expanding his network in the city. However, in 1825, upon the sudden death of his wife, Lucy, he moved south to Williamstown, Kentucky, the County Seat of the newly formed County of Grant.
1825 Grant County, Kentucky was a slowly developing area between the larger cities of Cincinnati and Lexington. To put in perspective, the first Grant County Court House was only four years old. William Arnold, the namesake of Williamstown, was still selling lots that were surveyed just two years prior. The town’s water supply was from a spring that sat across from William Arnold’s House and Tavern. Thus, when Abraham Jonas entered Williamstown, he arrived at the perfect time to make his mark upon the newly formed County. And make his mark, Abraham did. Outside history tells us that Jonas operated a general store in Williamstown, and local history tells us that he was also a tavern owner on Baton Rouge Road, making him a well-known face and trustworthy figure in the community. He was also a charter member and first Master of Grant Lodge #85, the first Freemason’s lodge in Grant County. Coincidentally, because there was not a suitable space for the secret society to meet, the Grant County Freemasons met first in the Grant County Court House and later at the house and tavern of William Arnold, just across the street from the Williamstown Baptist Church. To outline Jonas’ commitment and service as a Freemason, he was later elected in August of 1833 to serve as the statewide Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Kentucky.
Jonas had a knack and tact for leadership, and the people of Grant County were eager to allow him to lead. Jonas was elected by Grant Countians to represent them in the Kentucky General Assembly for single year terms in 1828, 1829, 1831, and 1833, respectively. However, like his move from New York to Cincinnati and from Cincinnati to Williamstown, Abraham once again uprooted himself and settled further west. In 1835, he settled in Illinois where he once again found himself operating a general store. However, within a few years he expanded his business ventures, where he opened a carriage business and began studying law. Not leaving his political prowess remaining in Grant County, he was elected to the Illinois State Legislature in 1842 after founding the Illinois Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons two years prior. It was through Jonas’ service in the Illinois State Legislature where he met a young Abraham Lincoln who, of course, was from Kentucky and exhibited a strong sense of purpose and leadership capabilities.
Though Abraham Jonas would go on to be defeated in later political campaigns, his ties to Abraham Lincoln and his allies secured him other positions in Illinois, where he later served as Postmaster of Quincy, Illinois.
As fate would have it, Abraham Lincoln’s friendship with Abraham Jonas would prove to change history, as Jonas took the lead in organizing the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debate that took place in Quincy, Illinois. Additionally, two years later, Abraham Jonas played a key role in developing support that led to the nomination of his friend Abraham Lincoln as the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. As Lincoln Stated of Jonas as, “one of my most valued friends,” Lincoln truly may not have secured the nomination for President of the United States if it wasn’t for the Grant County-reared Abraham Jonas.
Jonas and his second wife, Lucy Block, who both lived in Williamstown, had seven children. Four of their sons fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War, and two sons fought for the Union. It is said that Lincoln personally ordered the release of son Charles Jonas, a confederate prisoner of war, to be at the bedside of his father right before Abraham Jonas died.
I’d like to say that Grant County, Kentucky influenced Abraham Jonas for the better, using his days with Grant County natives such as William Arnold, Hubbard B. Smith, William Conrad, William Woodyard, and John Marksberry to learn the foundations needed to garner support and put forth the nomination for the most consequential President in the history of the United States.
