Jonas was born March 3, 1834, in McMinn County, Tennessee, the son of Peter V. Hoyl and Mary Carlock.

At age 23, he crossed the plains with a drove of cattle and arrived at Missouri Bend, on the Sacramento River, in 1857.

He settled on land on Pine Creek, thirteen miles north of Chico, and engaged in farming and stock raising.

He was also elected as a trustee of the school board and in 1877, was chosen to fill an unexpired term of a member of the city council.

He was elected to a complete term in 1888 and served until 1892 becoming president of the council his last year in office.