Richard Lloyd Jones

Born 1873, in Janesville, WI

Attended the University of Wisconsin from 1893 to 1894

In 1905 he and his employer, Robert Collier, purchased the farm on which Lincoln was born near Hodgenville, Ky. Jones then organized the Lincoln Farm Association, collected some $400,000 and established a historical site which included the restored cabin in which Lincoln was born.

Brought the Lincoln Statue to the University of Wisconsin.

Purchased the Wisconsin State Journal in 1911 and moved back to Madison to become the newspaper's editor and publisher. At first, Jones was a fan of legendary Wisconsin politician Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette, and he helped promote progressive causes in his newspaper.

Jones then brought in William T. Evjue to be one of his editors. But after six years, the two clashed -- Evjue supported La Follette's opposition to American involvement in World War I; Jones ripped La Follette for his stance. That led to Evjue leaving the State Journal in 1917 to start The Capital Times.

In 1919, Jones sold the State Journal to the Lee Newspaper Syndicate.