HISTORY
The house was built about 1865 by Marcellus E. Jones, a former Captain to the Union Cavalry, on what is now the southwest corner of Naperville and Indiana Streets in Wheaton. A deed from Horace Fuller to Capt. Jones was recorded August 21, 1865. According to Portrait and Biographical Records of Leaders of Cook County and DuPage County published in 1899, Capt. Jones "was one of the valiant defenders of the Old Flag during the late war, and fired the first shot at the battle of Gettysburg." In 1864, he married Naomi E. Mecham, a teacher who had attended Wheaton College and who (according to the same biography) "did what the rebels could not do -- capture the Captain". After the close of the war, he worked at his trade as a builder and housemover. He served as Township Collector, Wheaton City Councilman, and in 1882 was elected County Sheriff. He was appointed Wheaton Postmaster by President Harrison in 1890. The biography mentions that he had a pleasant home on Naperville Street "which is the abode of hospitality." The tract book shows a deed from Marcellus E. Jones and wife to Fred M. Bount on October 19, 1899; then from Fred Blount to Kittie Blount (through Schuyler C. Reber) June 22, 1903; later from Kittie E. Weinland and husband to Clarence V. Wagemenn and wife on October 4, 1944. The property was purchased by the local school district in 1947 and utilized as administrative offices until 1977. In 1977 School District 200 decided to raze the building to provide needed parking. However, many Wheaton citizens urged that some way be found to save the historical landmark. This prompted the School District to hold a public auction April 19, 1977, in the hope that someone would buy and move the building. The bidding started -- and ended -- at $1.00 with the law firm of Peregrine, Stime, Newman & Ritzman being the only bidder.
RELOCATION
By May 11, 1977, movers had the house jacked up on dollies ready to move. The movers had underestimated the building weight by almost 55 tons (actually being about 240 tons) because of the difference in building materials and construction in the past. After two days in transit, the house was moved one block across the old Wheaton Central football field to its present location.
RESTORATION
Completely new heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing systems were installed; it was replastered and decorated throughout; storms were made for 55 windows; floors were leveled; full basement constructed with conference room, library and bath; and a rear porch added. However, the basic construction and original room locations were not changed. Much of the woodwork on the first floor and hardware throughout were removed, many years of paint stripped off, the woodwork replaced and refinished. The newell posts at the end of the entry hallway and on the stairway to the library and some other molding and hardware came from the Old Harris House that had been on the southwest corner of West and Roosevelt before its demolition. As it now stands, the house has about 2,500 square feet on each of four floors (the top floor -- the former maid's quarters -- was not restored and is used for storage); it has twelve rooms on the first and second floors in addition to 3 1/2 baths, a walk-in vault, butler's pantry, large storage closets and hallways. The yard is defined by a stone fence that was also moved from the original location, rebuilt and cleaned. The ceramic bricks abutting the fence and leading to the flagpole were once part of the sidewalk on the west side of Naperville Road just south of Illinois Street.