This actually a tale of two Janes. In May 1857, Malcolm Bankhead bought the claim of Thomas Mitchell. He built a two-story log-house and offered public lodging. It remained until 1872, when Dennis Tanner tore it down and constructed the two-story wooden frame building known for many years as the Janesville Hotel.
Malcolm was soon joined by his wife, Jane and four children. I 1858, Smith Hill built a house nearby. In 1861, Henry Lomas established a blacksmith shop there at the same time, Smith Hill opened a combination saloon and shoe-shop. The village was initially known as Bankhead’s. Some accounts have it that at that time it became known as Janesville, in honor of Jane Bankhead. It should be duly noted that Malcolm and Jane’s daughter, Susan, married Smith Hill on June 13, 1859. On May 17, 1862, the Hill’s daughter, Jane Agnes was born, a first in the village. Some state the town was named for her, being the first child born there. On June 15, 1864, the name Janesville was official with the establishment of the post office. Whatever the case may be, the naming of Janesville was a family affair.