Joseph Russell Jones (February 17, 1823 – April 11, 1909) was a successful American merchant and politician, a close friend of Ulysses S. Grant and an acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln.

Grant became friends with Jones and Washburne whose recommendations aided his return to the army when the Civil War began.

His friendship with Grant provided him with the necessary passes to bring Southern cotton to the North where it could be sold for significant profit.

However, a year later Grant, urged by Generals John A. Logan and Stephen A. Hurlbut, asked Jones to resign.

This request, perceived as a public disgrace Jones felt at the hands of his old friend, severed their friendship permanently.