The Jackson Families of Lafayette County, Missouri

CYRUS WALKER JACKSON.

One of the venerable and highly honored citizens of Lafayette county is Cyrus Walker Jackson, veteran of the Mexican war and a man whose long and interesting career has been productive of much good to his fellow men. He was born March 30, 1829, in Monroe county, Kentucky. He was brought to Missouri in 1832 by his parents, Abner J. and Polly (Fitzgerald) Jackson, who located in Clinton county. They were both natives of Virginia and were married in Kentucky. Abner J. Jackson served as sheriff of Monroe county, Kentucky, and was the first justice of the peace in Clinton county, Missouri, holding that office several terms. His death occurred in 1852 in Clinton county. His wife died in 1852, at the age of forty-three years. They left a family of fourteen children, thirteen of whom reached maturity, eleven of them still living in 19 10, Cyrus W., of this review, being the only one in Lafayette county.

When only seventeen years of age the subject enlisted for service in the Mexican war, in Colonel Doniphan's regiment, which had a few volunteers from Clinton county. He served fourteen months with this regiment and returned to Missouri with his company, having been on the long and memorable marches to and from Mexico through the great plains of the Southwest. He saw some hard service and had one of his little fingers shot off by a rifle ball. He reached home in October and in March following (1848) re-enlisted under General Price at Columbia, Missouri, as a recruit to Price's army, which he joined at Santa Fe where Price was in command, and in the following fall this army marched back to Missouri over the famous Santa Fe trail to Independence, where Mr. Jackson was paid off and discharged. He was the only one of the Clinton county boys who re-enlisted. Soon after his discharge he came to Lafayette county and was overseer for William Shelby, the younger brother of Gen. Joe Shelby, on a farm in Dover township, growing hemp and operating about twenty slaves. He worked as overseer for a period of six years, then for Le Grand Buford, Captain Webb and others for six years. He received three hundred dollars for a year's service, and his work was hard, for he had to be in constant touch with the workers.

Mr. Jackson was one of that brave band who crossed the plains in 1850 to California in the gold excitement days, making the trip with an ox team, in company with his father, brother and an uncle and cousin, and they were ninety-four days on the road. He at once began prospecting and the first day made ninety-six dollars, but for the next two weeks he toiled away in the same spot, not making "six bits" a day. He and his father spent two months on the return trip, which was made by ship to the Isthmus of Panama, and by way of New Orleans and up the Mississippi river. Reaching St. Louis, he secured a horse and, although it was winter time, made the long trip home on horseback. He had much experience and had learned and seen much, but had no money left when he reached home. After working as overseer for four years more, he began farming for himself, growing hemp and corn, hiring many hands to work his crops, continuing in this way until the Civil war. He endeavored to remain at home with his wife and five small children, but in 1862 he joined the Confederate forces under Joe Shelby at Cane Hill, Arkansas, and in 1863 he began to recruit a company under a captain's commission His company was made up of Missouri, Arkansas and Texas men, and out of the eighty-lour men composing the company but one was married. It was a splendid company and would fight anything. They were attached to Jackman's brigade, Shelby's division. They spent several months in the vicinity of Batesville, Arkansas, and were with Price on his raid into Missouri in 1864, and in the march through Lafayette county, Mr. Jackson spent three days at his home, then continued on 'with Price, until the close of the war, circling Little Rock, and going to Shreveport, Louisiana. The last fight he was in was at the Big Blue near Kansas City. They surrendered at Shreveport and soon afterward came home. Mr. Jackson was in many battles and lost about one-fourth of his men, mostly in mounted service, scouting and skirmishing ahead of the main army. He was badly wounded at the Big Blue by a mine ball and three buckshot. Although told that he would die, he rode on to Arkansas and thence to Texas, finally recovering. Thus Captain Jackson served in two Wars with distinction and was in close relationship with his general, He had great admiration for Price and Shelby. After his second experience as a soldier he returned home and resumed farming, which he continued until 1882, his farm lying in Davis township, six miles east of Higginsville. Since 1882 he has lived in Higginsville and for a period of six years was city marshal, and for a year and a half was guard at the penitentiary under Marmaduke, brother to the general. He was then re-elected marshal of Higginsville for two years, also served as deputy sheriff for two years, and he was the first police judge of Higginsville, holding that position for two years, or until his eyesight failed, and for a period of seven years he was not able to read. ♦

Captain Jackson was married in 1849 to Evelyn A. Harrison, of Lafayette county. She died in Higginsville in 1885, at the age of fifty-six years. To this union five children were born, namely: Mary S., wife of Alfred Roberts, a veteran of the Mexican war, living near Higginsville; William R., of Kansas City, is in the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine Company; Cornelia F. married John Kinzie, of Higginsville; Sarah P., who married James Wiley, now lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Drusilla married Robert Corder, of Lafayette county.

Captain Jackson's second marriage was to Mattie P. Gaines, on March 7, 1886. Her home was in Lafayette county, and she was the daughter of Philip Gaines, late of this county, and a former overseer for Joe Shelby. She was born in Virginia and came to Missouri when a child. She and Mr. Jackson are both members of the Christian church.

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

W. R. JACKSON,

P. O. Higginsville, Mo. Son of Cyrus W. Jackson, and was born in this county April 22, 1853. He was raised on a farm until his sixteenth year, when he took charge of his uncle's' farm, where he remained for a time, and then went on a trading expedition to Texas. In 1873 he returned to this county, and went into the drug business. In the winter of 1873 he was married to Miss Lettie B. Keller, and has three children, two boys and one girl, Bessie E., born October, 1874; Roy Berry, born July, 1877; Hulet M., born December, 1879. After his marriage he spent some time on a farm in Carroll County. In the spring of 1875 he returned to Lafayette County, and engaged in farming one year. He then moved to Aullville, and was appointed constable of Freedom township, and continued in that capacity until 1878. He then entered the drug and grocery business at Aullville, in which he continued until 1880, dealing also in dry goods, and trading in grain. In the spring of 1880 he moved to Higginsville and engaged in the grocery business, but soon after traded his stock of. groceries for a livery stable and outfit, in which business he is now engaged.

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

JAMES A. JACKSON, was born in East Va., January 11, 1829, where he spent his early life, until he was twenty years old, when he moved to Missouri, and settled in this county, where he has since resided and engaged in farming and raising stock; and now owns 400 acres of land. He was married Nov. 20, 1855, to-Eliza A. Corder, a. native of Va. By this marriage they have seven children, John H., Sarah E., Daniel G., Elizabeth, James, Victoria and Thomas. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Presbyterian church, as is also Mrs. Jackson. He is one of the leading and most prosperous farmers in the county.

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

JAMES JACKSON, JR.

It sufficiently appears to him who reads the record of this man's comparatively brief life, that he is one whose intelligence, industry and public spirit have not only gained for him his present prosperity and high business standing, but have also won for him the regard and the friendship of the large number of people to whom he is known.

James Jackson, Jr., was born near Alma, June 3, 1865, the son of James and Eliza A. (Corder) Jackson. James Jackson was born January 11, 1829, in Rappahannock county, Virginia, and his wife in the same county November 22, 1832. James came from Virginia to Waverly, Missouri, alone about 1850. His father, Daniel Jackson, spent his life in Virginia. Eliza Corder's parents, John and Sallie (Ramey) Corder, came from Virginia in the thirties, and entered land in Davis township, where they owned three thousand acres. Mr. Corder was a large slave owner and hemp grower. He died here. James Jackson obtained three hundred acres two and one-half miles southeast of Alma, and spent his life in farming and stock raising, except for the last ten years, which he spent retired in Blackburn, where he died November 17, 1900, his wife surviving until May 7, 1902. They were the parents of fourteen children, seven of whom are still living. He was a Democrat and took part in the Civil war, serving in the battle of Lexington. He was always active in politics, but never aspired to office. He and his wife and family were faithful and active members of the Presbyterian church.

James Jackson. Jr., was educated in the home schools and the Blackburn high school. He remained with his father until he was twenty-two, and then bought ninety acres in Middleton township and has farmer ever since. For two years he has resided on his present farm, two and one-half miles southwest of Alma. He owns three hundred and thirty acres in Lafayette county and one hundred and sixty in Johnson county. Formerly he was an extensive stock feeder, but now is a farmer and stock raiser. He is a director of the Alma Bank and of the Lafayette County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

On February 9, 1887, Mr. Jackson was married to Maggie A. Prigmore, daughter of Duke Y. and Maggie (Hill) Prigmore. Duke Y. Prigmore was born November 27, 1818. in Saline county, Missouri, son of Benjamin and Mary (Downing) Prigmore, natives of Kentucky, who came at an early day and settled in Saline county. Benjamin owned a large farm near Brownsville. Duke was brought up on the farm and educated in the common schools. When a young man he began farming for himself, and was married to Margaret Hill, who was born in Saline county. Her father came there when grown and spent his life there as a farmer. Before the war Duke Y. came to Lafayette county, lived for a year near Brownsville (now Sweet Springs) and a year or so later moved to a Davis township farm, three miles south of Alma. During the first of the war he removed to Nebraska City, and stayed there three or four years. His brother was killed here by bushwhackers and the house burned. After the war he returned to the old farm, improved it, and added to it until he had three hundred and twenty acres there, and also owned eighty acres of timber in Johnson county, and gave his entire attention to farming and stock raising. He was a Democrat, a member of the Christian church, and a Mason, and lived in accordance with the teachings of all. Six of his eight children are living.

Mr. and Mrs. James Jackson, Jr., are the parents of the following children: James Young, at home; Flossie May, a teacher in this county; Rena Elizabeth, at home; Virginia Frances, Alma Margaret, Eula Lee, Nettie Prigmore and Anna Mary, all still living. They are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Jackson is a Mason and a Democrat. He has prospered in life, has a comfortable home, pleasant family life and many friends, and that should content any man.

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

JOHN F. JACKSON.

The subject of this sketch has seen experience in several lines of work, serving an apprenticeship in the book selling business, than which perhaps nothing else so well fits a man for entering into any other profession, for perhaps in that business there is better opportunity to gain experience and knowledge of human nature than in any other. Then his later experience in the loan office work was of such a character as to teach him many valuable lessons and, with such a beginning, he is well fitted by training for the business in which he is now engaged, and has proved his fitness by his success.

John F. Jackson was born April 19, 1863, on a farm one mile from Higginsville, son of Benjamin F. and Margaret A. (Robertson) Jackson. Benjamin F. Jackson was born in Allen county, Kentucky, April 19, 1835, and went with his parents to Boone county, Missouri, in 1837. In 1859 he moved from Boone county to a place near Elmwood, Saline county, Missouri. September 2, 1860, he was married to Margaret A. Robertson, who was born near Lexington, Kentucky, June 6, 1841, and to their union ten children were born: Thomas W., John F., James Edward, Joseph M., Annie L., King S., Annie M., Oliver P., Arthur D. and Obie C.

Mr. Jackson enlisted in the Union army at Lexington, Missouri, in February, 1863, and served gallantly until he was mustered out, July 11, 1865. He united with the Christian church in 1886, and was thereafter a faithful member.

John F. Jackson was reared on the farm and worked on it until 1884, when he represented Browning, King & Company in book work for two years, then sold books on his own account for some time. In 1890 he was special agent of the Southern Building and Loan Association at Knoxville for one year, and for some time was special agent of the Missouri Building and Loan Company in northern Missouri. In 1896 he started in the tailoring business, representing a Chicago house, and has lately, in 1909, bought out an insurance business, and carries that on in connection with the tailoring. He carries good lines of fire, life, tornado and accident insurance.

Mr. Jackson is a Democrat and a member of the Christian church, and in his fraternal relations is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen, of which latter order he is venerable consul. He has never married. Mr. Jackson is genial and affable in disposition and has made many friends. His business operations have been uniformly successful.

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

W. A. JACKSON,

Post Office Bates City, Mo., is a native Missourian of the firm of C. R. Jackson & Son, and was born in this county. When quite young he went with his parents, C. R. and Carohne Jackson, to Ray county where he was raised and educated. In 1880 he came to Bates City, in this county, and engaged in merchandising. His father moved to Texas and remained there eighteen months and then moved to Kansas City, where their house, C. R.Jackson & son, is located on.the corner of Main and Third streets. They also have a house in Camden, Mo., under the management of A. J. Jackson. The subject of this sketch has charge of the house in Bates City.

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