The Jackson Families of Knox County, Ohio

ISAAC LYON JACKSON.

Almost an octogenarian, Isaac L. Jackson has spent his entire life on the farm where he is now living, his birth having there occurred on the 25th of March, 1823. He has since been identified with the work of agriculture, which Washington said "is the most honorable as well as the most useful business to which man can devote his energies." He is of English and Scotch extraction and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Jackson, was a native of Morris county, New Jersey, and when the colonists fought for freedom he became a major in the American army and valiantly aided in the cause of independence. He was a bloomer by trade, and, living near Valley Forge at the time the American troops were there encamped, he was employed in making chevaux de rise, a large pronged iron to cast in the river in order to obstruct the stream and render it unnavigable. He married Abigail Mitchell, who was also a native of Morris comity, New Jersey, and some years after the removal of his son Ziba to Ohio he also came to

Knox county and settled in Morris township.

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Two of their children were born to Ziba and Phoebe Jackson in the state of their nativity, and with his little family he started westward in 1805. Being a poor man he had to remain in Pennsylvania for eighteen months in order to earn the funds necessary for the completion of the journey. In 1807 he again turned his face toward the setting sun, arriving in Knox county, Ohio, in the spring of that year. We of the twentieth century can scarcely realize what were the conditions of the country at that time. Nearly all of the land was still in possession of the government and was largely covered with a dense growth of timber. There were marshy districts and here and there, at rare intervals, a blue line of smoke rising from amid the trees indicated that a settlement had been made by some brave frontierman and the work of improvement had been begun. Mr. Jackson purchased a small place near the Salem church in Wayne township, and the first year cleared a little patch of ground and planted some corn. Steadily he continued the work of development, planted an orchard and made other improvements, but later he sold that property and removed to what is now known as the old David Ball farm, also in Wayne township. In 1814 he traded that property for the present Jackson homestead upon which our subject now resides. He there built a log cabin and in the spring of 1815 removed his family this new home, where he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1848, when he was in his seventy-second year. During the year of 18 1 2 he served his country as first sergeant, and in the paths of peace he also performed an active work for his native land by carrying civilization to the frontier and aiding in reclaiming the wild land for the improvement of the white race. He was a Democrat in politics and for several years he was trustee of his township, proving a very capable officer. His wife passed away July II, 1836.

Isaac L. Jackson was one of a family of seven children born to this worthy and honored pioneer couple, but only two of the number are now living, the other being Chalon, of Lynn county, Missouri, now in his eighty-seventh year. Amid the wild scenes of frontier life Isaac L. Jackson was reared, sharing with the family in the hardships and trials which are the inevitable lot of pioneer people, but there were certain pleasure to be enjoyed that are unknown at the present time, and thus the years were checkered with work and happiness. In the primitive schools of the time he pursued his education, and on the 13th of April, 1848, there occurred an important event in his life: his marriage to Miss Sarah A. Jackson, a native of Knox county and a daughter of Ephraim and Nancy Jackson, and who was formerly his pupil. They began their domestic life on a part of his father's farm, of which he had charge from his twenty-first year, receiving a share of the crops. Upon his father's death he purchased the place from the other heirs and has since made his home thereon, through all the years keeping his land under a high state of cultivation and making many improvements, so that the property has ever been valuable and attractive.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson was blessed with seven children, of whom five are yet living: Mary E., the deceased wife of Theodore Haines; Sarah E., the wife of William H. Gordon, of Miorris township; George F., of Oklahoma; Nancy S., the wife of Dr. M. F. Cole, a practicing physician of Columbus; Albert M., deceased; Amanda Anna, the wife of G. M. Sipe, an attorney of Utica, Ohio; and Eva B., who married C. K. Conrad, of Mount Vernon. The mother died in 1877, and Mr. Jackson was afterward married, in Delaware, Ohio, in 1878, to Mrs. Sarah J. Converse, nee Douglass. Her death occurred in 1890, and February 16, 1892, Mr. Jackson wedded Miss Anna Moffit, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, and daughter of Rev. A. S. Moffit, of the Northern Ohio Conference.

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vation of the home farm, and the rental from his place and the harvests garnered here in Morris township supply him with an excellent income which furnishes him with all the comforts of life. He is a stanch Republican, and though he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has served for thirty years as justice of the peace and has "won golden opinions from all sorts of people" by his absolute fairness and impartiality. He has served for several terms as trustee, assessor, clerk and constable. These offices have been conferred upon him from time to time without his solicitation by his fellow citizens, who recognize his worth and ability. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has for many years held office. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. He has ever been found true and faithful and his life has been characterized by marked fidelity to duty. In the long years of his residence here he has become widely known and his friends are numbered among the rich and the poor,' the old and the young.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILL H. JACKSON.

One of the successful farmers of Milford township, Knox county, and one of the worthy native sons of the locality of which this history treats, is Will H. Jackson, a representative of a highly-respected family which has been known here for many decades.

Mr. Jackson was born in the west side of Milford township, this county, on October 24, 1861. He is the son of Van Buren and Orlena (Jackson) Jackson. The paternal grandparents were George and Mary (Hobbs) Jackson, he a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, born in 1782, died June 6, 1848, and she born at Aliquot Mills, nine miles from Baltimore, March 17, 1793, and died August 5, 1877. They were married in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and in 1835 came to Knox county, Ohio, and located in Milford township, where he bought a farm and here they spent the rest of their lives, having become very well established. The elder Jackson was the father of nineteen children, fourteen by his first wife and five by his second.

The maternal grandparents, Ephraim and Nancy Ellen (Cook) Jackson, natives of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, he of Uniontown, and she of Big Red Stone, Tippecanoe township. Ephraim Jackson came to Ohio about 1820 with his father, Abraham, who entered land here in 1825. Abraham Jackson was the son of an Irish nobleman and he emigrated to America during the Revolutionary war. A year after coming here Ephraim Jackson returned to Pennsylvania and there married. He returned to Ohio with his bride, making the trip on horseback, and built a cabin on his farm, the building. at first, having neither window nor door, and there he and his wife spent the balance of their lives. He was born February 16, 1805, and she on June 5th of the same year; his death occurred on November 22, 1872, and she on January 17, 1870.

The father, Van Buren Jackson, was born in this township, March 17, 1836. and the mother on the farm occupied by1 the subject on October 25, 1833, and here these parents grew up as pioneer children, he being the eighteenth child of his father and the fourth of his mother, and she the fifth child of her parents. Here they were married on October 28, 1858. Van Buren Jackson devoted his life to farming, operating the home place most successfully. He bought the interests of his wife’s brothers and sisters and at one time owned two hundred and eighteen acres, but most of the place has been sold and divided. He lived a quiet and retired life, but took an interest in public affairs and led an exemplary life. He and his wife were members of the Disciples church. He is still living and has the respect of all who know him. The death of his wife occurred on October 13, 1898. They were the parents of three children, namely: Will H., of this sketch; Theo. A., and

Lillian B., now the wife of W. C. Riley. The father was stricken with paralysis on March 3, 1911, and has been very poorly ever since.

Will H. Jackson grew up on the home farm and worked there during his boyhood days in the summer months. He received his education in the common schools and the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana. He has been managing the home farm for some time and is very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. Politically, he is a Democrat, and in his religious life belongs to the Disciples church.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES B. JACKSON.

In nearly every community are individuals who by innate ability and sheer force of character rise above discouraging environments to honored places in public esteem. Such a case is that of Charles B. Jackson, well known farmer and stock raiser of Milford township, a man who has been identified with the history of Knox county all his life, during which he has striven to do his part in the material affairs of the locality, while his career as a progressive man of affairs has been synonymous with all that is upright and honorable in citizenship. He is a schon of one of the sterling pioneer families of this section of the Buckeye state, and many of their praiseworthy attributes seem to have outcropped in him.

Mr. Jackson was born in Milford township, this county, near where he still resides, on November 14, 1853 He is the son of George and Sarah (Riley) Jackson. The paternal grandparents, Abram and Sarah Jackson, natives of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1820 and located in Milford township, when the country was being redeemed from the primeval wilderness and neighbors were few; here they bought a farm, established a good home and reared their family of three children, of whom George, father of the subject, was the youngest. He was a blacksmith by trade and a great trapper. He followed his trade until quite old. He and his wife both died here.

The maternal grandparents, William and Lucy (Arnold) Riley, were natives of Virgiia, she descended from a very early Kentucky family. He was a shoemaker by trade.

George Jackson, father of the subject, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1807, and his wife, Sarah Riley, was born in Maryland on October 22, 1820. They each came here when young with their parents and grew to maturity, she marrying first a Mr. Cramer, who died young, then married George Jackson. The latter devoted his life to farming and became the owner of about two hundred acres of excellent land. He was an influential man in his community. At one time he served as county commissioner, being on the building committee during the period that the court house was constructed. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Baptist church.

To Mr. and Mrs. George Jackson were born six sons and two daughters, five of whom are living. By her first marriage one son was born.

George Jackson was captain of a company of militia in Milford township about 1838 or 1840. He was a hard working farmer and led a quiet life. His death occurred in September, 1890, his wife having preceded him to the narrow house in October, 1886.

Charles B. Jackson received his education in the old brick school house, in his home district schools, and he was reared on the farm, where he worked hard when a boy. Early in life he took up farming for a livelihood, working on the home place. In May, 1876, he purchased one hundred and one acres in Milford township, on which he erected a splendid set of buildings and made up-to-date improvements in every way and here he still resides, having been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, devoting especial attention to raising sheep.

Politically, Mr. Jackson is a loyal Democrat and has long been a potential factor in local affairs. He has served his township as clerk and assessor, and has been treasurer for the past two years, also township constable. As a public servant he performs his duties most ably and conscientiously, to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Since 1908 Mr. Jackson has been president of the Knox County Agricultural Association, and he has done much to make the same a success. He keeps well informed on agricultural topics and advocates up-to-date methods in general farming. He has always been active in bettering the condition of the farmers. He and his wife belong to the Grange, and he has held all the offices in the same. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, having passed all the chairs in the local lodge, and represented it at Cleveland and Cincinnati at state conventions.

Charles B. Jackson was married on March 23, 1876, to Melvina Ross, a native of Milford township and the daughter of Timothy and Esther Ann Ross, each representing pioneer families of this locality, in which they were both born. Grandfather Ross was from Pennsylvania.

One son, Carroll, has been born to Charles B. Jackson and wife. He received a good education and is now a druggist at Gambier. He married Catherine Graham, daughter of N). Graham, and they have one son, Charles Graham Jackson, now four years old. Carroll Jackson served in Company L, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish-American war, being first corporal. He saw active service in Porto Rico. He was educated in the Mt. Vernon high school and in Ohio Northern University at Ada, from which he was graduated in pharmacy, also took a post-graduate course in the Ohio Pharmaceutical Institute.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch has long enjoyed prestige as a leading citizen of the community in which he resides, his prominence being the direct and legitimate result of genuine merit and ability. He is one of those optimistic men who look on the bright side of life, advocating that it is no use to complain at the rough places in the road, for he knows that life is a battle to all of us, in which the slothful, indifferent and lazy win no victories, but that the prize is to the strong of heart and the vigilant.

Edward Jackson, whose finely improved landed estate lies in Liberty township, Knox county, and who has been content to spend his life in his home country, was born on May io, 1859, on a farm in the township in which he now resides. He is the son of John and Susanna (Litzenburg) Jackson, both natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania, he having come to Knox county, Ohio, when he was small with his parents, George Jackson and wife, early settlers in this part of the county. The Litzenburgs were also early arrivals, and each became influential in their community and well established. John Jackson devoted his life to farming and was a progressive agriculturist and a large land owner. He was one of the substantial and well known men of this part of the county, and active in the affairs of the Democratic party. He served as township treasurer and as township trustee. His death occurred in January, 1893. His widow, a woman of many beautiful traits of character, is still living at the advanced age of ninety-four years.

Two children were born to John Jackson and wife, Edward, of this review, and Ella, who married James McKinstrey, of Liberty township.

Edward Jackson was reared on the home farm and when but a boy assisted with the general work on the same. During the winter months he attended the public schools of his district. On February 12, 1880, he was married to Adelia Robertson, daughter of Jesse P. and Caroline C. (Mc- Combs) Robertson, of Liberty township.

To the subject and wife four children have been born, namely: Carrie, who married Lester Kile, of Morrow county; Mamie, who married Clyde Thatcher, of Liberty township; Carl is taking a two-year course in agriculture at the Ohio State University; Hazel lives with her parents and is a student in the Mt. Vernon high school.

Mr. Jackson, since his marriage, has lived on his present farm in Liberty township, eight miles west of Mt. Vernon on the new Delaware road. His place consists of two hundred and twelve acres, which he has placed under a high state of improvement and cultivation, and he has one of the choicest, most fertile and desirable farms in Liberty township. In connection with general farming, he makes a specialty of dairying, handling a good grade of Jersey cattle, and he raises live stock of all kinds and is regarded as one of the prosperous and progressive farmers in this part of the county. He believes in adopting the most approved methods and never letting the grass grow under his feet. He has a splendid home and large, convenient outbuildings.

Politically, Mr. Jackson is a Democrat and he has been township clerk for a number of years and also was a member of the local board of education, and in 1907 he was elected justice of the peace. For some time he served his township as a member of the Democratic county central committee and has been a frequent delegate to county and district conventions. He has been a most capable and faithful public servant, always having the interests of his community and county at heart. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Sparta Lodge. He and his family are members of the Advent Christian church. His family has long been prominent socially in the community.

Mr. Jackson is one of the representative citizens of Knox county and is a pleasant man to meet.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

If there is one characteristic that stands out more strongly than others in the history of the Jackson family it is that of loyalty — a loyalty which has been manifest by active service in the different important wars of the country and by absolute fearlessness in the performance of duty. Sylvadore Jackson has this characteristic of his ancestors and in his life record there is much that indicates a most lofty patriotism. The country owes to him a debt of gratitude for what he accomplished in its behalf, and his name should be placed high on the roll of those whose loyalty to the Union in the dark days of the Civil war resulted in active and beneficial service.

The Jackson family was founded in

America in 1625 by ancestors who came from Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania. Joseph Jackson, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the Keystone state in 1761, and in 1775, when only fourteen years of age, ran away from his home — in the suburbs O'f Philadelphia — in order to enlist in the Continental army. He served throughout the war, giving valiant aid to the cause of freedom, and was present at the surrender of Comwallis, His brothers, James and Isaac, were both officers in the American army, one serving as captain, the other as lieutenant. Joseph Jackson, many years after the freedom of the colonies had been won, emigrated westward, taking up his above in Newark township, Licking county, Ohio, in 1805. There he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1818, at the age of fifty-eight years.

His son, Joseph Jackson, Jr., the father of our subject, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and in the war of 1812 he served his country as a member of a Virginia reg'ment. In 1 81 5 he went to Licking county, taking up his above in Newark township, where he became identified with industrial interests. He was caught in a fulling mill and was thus scalded to death in 1837, when forty-three years of age. Mrs. Jackson, who bore the maiden name of Mollie Cummins, was a native of Licking county, and a daughter of Thomas Cummins, who came to this state from Union county, Pennsylvania.

Sylvadore Jackson, familiarly known as Saint Jackson, whose name introduces this review, was born in Licking county, in 1832, and there was reared to manhood, pursuing _ his education in the public schools and working at baker's and confectioner's trades in his south. From 1856 until 1859 he was en-

2l6 gaged in business in the city of Newark, but previous to this time he had rendered effective sen-ice in the cause of freedom in Kansas. In the fall of 1855 he went to that portion of the country, and was allied with the "free state" men, being connected with the forces of Montgomery. He aided in driving out the border men and was twice wounded in one night — the night he rode forty miles to assist in the rescue of Lawrence. In 1856 he visited Omaha and Council Bluffs and in twelve days walked from Council Bluffs to Iowa City. He then returned home and took an active part in the Fremont campaign, earnestly championing the first standard bearer of the new Republican party which was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery. While in Kansas he had known and acted with John Brown.

In November, 1859, Mr. Jackson came to Mount Vernon and established a bakery and grocery, which he conducted for two years. He then disposed of his business and in December, 1861, went to the south, but was taken with rheumatism and for ten months lay in the hospital at Nashville before he could do anything. Unable for field service he soon returned to the north where the work which he performed for the government was of the most important character. Prior to 1863 several provost marshals had been appointed for Knox county but had failed to keep down the spirit of rebellion by not arresting the deserters and rebels. At length the county became overrun with such men. In 1863 Major Hadley spent the entire day of June 17th in the streets trying to find a man who would carry dispatches to the commander in Holmes county, but the danger of such a mission, owing to the presence of many southern sympathizers, was very great, and no one would volunteer. At length the Alajor was told that Mr. Jackson would carry the dispatches. The whole county was picketed by the rebels, but Mr. Jackson got Major Cooper to give him a fictitious warrant for a horse thief and he started. He was stopped by two rebels but he told them he was after a horse thief and that the man was an abolitionist, so they let him pass. At length he reached his destination and delivered the messages in safety. This was reported to the government and Mr. Jackson was immediately reported provost marshal for Knox county, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He arrested altogether over three hundred deserters in this county and its borders, and no man that he was after ever got away. He was here and heard Valandingham make the speech for which he was arrested and tried. He also went on special duty a number of times to Holmes county, which was the hotbed of copperheads in this state. Seven times he was shot at during the period of his service as provost marshal and on one occasion while arresting a deserter in Mount Vernon he was so injured that he eventually lost the sight of his eyes. For thirty years he has been unable to recognize any one and for five years has been totally blind. Thus great has been the sacrifice which he made for his country, but he counted not the cost when engaged in the performance of his duty. He never wavered or faltered no matter what the risks, and no greater bravery was manifest on the field of battle. On one occasion three men lay all night by the side of the road where they expected him to pass, intending to kill him, but his horse wandered off inter the wrong road and he was thereby saved. In 1865-66 he served as deputy sheriff.

Mr. Jackson was married in Licking county to Miss Martha Jane Smith, a daughter of Daniel A. Smith, a native O'f Maryland. He served in the war of 1812 and soon afterward came to Licking county, where he died in 1883, at the very venerable age of ninety-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Mitchell, passed away at the age of eighty-five. Her people came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio. By the marriage ol Mr. and Mrs. Jackson was born one son, Charles Ellsworth, who is a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Music and is now located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Such in brief is the history of one of Knox county's most honored and respected citizens, — a man who in every relation of life has been true to what he believed to be his duty, who has conscientiously met every obligation and whose sterling worth of character has gained for him many warm friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES C. JACKSON.

For a number of years a representative of the commercial interests of Mount Vernon, Charles C. Jackson is one of the most highly respected citizens of Knox county, and his life record forms an important chapter in the history of the county. He was born at Mount Liberty, Knox county, July 27, 1869, a son of John W. Jackson, who was born in Connecticut. When seven years of age he came with his parents to the Buckeye state, and in 1855 took up his above in Knox county, becoming one of the influential early settlers of the locality. On coming to this state his parents first located in Knox county, but afterward removed to Marion county, and after a time spent in that locality they again took up their residence in Knox county. Their son, John W. Jackson, was a gallant soldier during the Civil war, having served for four years in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry. He was a brave and faithful soldier, and during his military service was ever found true to duty and to the cause which he espoused. He married Mary Jane Weaver, of Morrow county, Ohio, and a daughter of John Line \Veaver.

Charles Jackson, the subject of this review, received his education in the Mount Liberty public schools, and after putting aside his text-books as a scholar he again entered the schoolroom as an instructor, following the teacher's profession for twenty-two terms in Knox county, and for eighteen terms he taught continuously in one school. It will thus be seen that he was an efficient worker in the task of instructing the young along lines of mental advancement which are the source of preparation for the responsible duties which devolve upon each individual as he puts aside the text-books to take up the work which must follow the labors of the schoolroom. In 1895 ' was elected to the responsible position of county recorder, but in 1898 was defeated for that office by three votes, although he ran three hundred and eighty-three votes ahead of his ticket. In 1898 he purchased the business of the Howard Harper real-estate and insurance agency, which had been established for twenty years, and Mr. Jackson is now conducting that enterprise with a high degree of success, being recognized as one of the leading and influential real-estate, loan and insurance men of Mount Vernon. A leading feature of Mr. Jackson's business is as the representative of the Home Insurance Company of New York, for which he has exclusive control of Knox and adjoining counties, he having seven agents who travel solely in the interests of this well-known and popular company. He is also local secretary and treasurer of the Centerburg Building & Loan Association Company.

The marriage of Mr. Jackson was celebrated in Knox county, Miss Minna B. Mitchell becoming his wife. Her father, William H. Mitchell, who is engaged in mercantile business, was born in Milford township, Knox county, his father having been among its earliest pioneers, locating here in the '30s, and he erected the first brick house in the township. In his political views our subject is a Republican, and socially he is a meiTiber of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Improved Order of Red Men. The business career of Mr. Jackson is one that should encourage others to press on. Earnest labor, unabating perseverance, good judgment and a laudable ambition, — these are the elements which have brought him prosperity and have made him one of the substantial business men of the county. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity, while his devotion to the public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in his. fellow men.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.