Edgar Thomas Jackson

As printed in 1905

EDGAR THOMAS JACKSON.

In preparing a work of reference of this nature for the use of later generations, the historian is proud to record the names and achievements of the brave pioneers who came when the country was new, and braved the hardships of frontier life in order to open the way for the civilization, wealth, and prosperity that we now enjoy. E. T. Jackson, whose name leads this article, is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families that have won distinction and respect in Des Moines county.

The founder of this family in Des Moines county was Xehemiah H. Jackson, grandfather of our subject, who came to this region when it was government land, and homesteaded a large tract. Xehemiah Jackson, was born at Addison, Addison county, Wt., in the year 1801. and lived there till manhood. Some time after his marriage he went to New York State, near Oswego, where he remained for two years. From there he moved with his father, the great-grandfather of our subject, to Illinois, where he remained one year, and in 1834 came to Iowa.

The trip from New York to Illinois was made in a wagon drawn by an ox-team, six weeks being required to make the journey. On coming to Iowa, Nehemiah Jackson homesteaded a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Section 19, Benton township). the present farm of our subject, his grandson, as well as the farm on which another grandson, Burton Jackson, now resides. Here he built a log cabin, by his own labor even splitting the clapboard for a roof, and hewing a floor out of split hickory with an adze. After lie had made the beginning of the new linie, he brought his family from Illinois, they arriving in June, 1835.

They crossed the river at Burlington on a flatboat. Burlington was then a village of log huts, with only one frame building on the north side of the landing. Their first year's crop was five acres of small corn. Old Black Hawk, with one hundred warriors, soon camped by their home, and wanted to "swap" some things for salt. The country was unoccupied at this time, and Mr. Matthew Latty was the only other settler in this part of the thoroughly informed on all the vital topcountry for miles around. He had come ics of the day. as early as 1833. While he was receiving his education

Nehemiah Jackson was the main probe was also assisting in the heavy farm mother of the cause of education in the work always to be found on a pioneer community. Whenever a settler came in, homestead. He always made his home he at once went to see him, and inquired on the place which his father had preis he had children, and if he was in favor empted, adding to it another forty acres, of schools. At first they were compelled Besides general farming, he carried on a to have subscription schools, but later he stock-raising business very successfully, aided in getting public schools. His acraising many Shorthorn cattle and Poland tivity in this and other lines pertaining to China hogs. He inherited part of the public welfare made him practically home place, and to this he made-additions the foremost man of his neighborhood from time to time until he owned three until the close of his life. He died at hundred and forty acres of farm land, all the home place on May 26, 1853, and lies improved except a small tract of timber, buried in Loper cemetery, at Sperry. Alyron H. Jackson was a Republican in

In early manhood, before leaving Addihis political faith, throughout his entire son, Nehemiah Jackson was united in life, and was always active in politics, almarriage to Miss Lucy Pond, who surthough he preferred to be part of the vived him by twenty-five years, her death power behind the throne, rather than to occurring in 1878, when she was at the aspire to public office for himself. Alage of sixty-six years. To them were though he was in the midst of a strong born several children, of whom two. El- Democratic community, his reputation

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His schooling consisted of a few terms at broad and liberal in his views, the district schools of Benton township. In early manhood Myron H. Jackson supplemented by home lessons. The became a member of Pisgah Baptist home environment was such as to enchurch, at Sperry, remaining an active courage him to add to his education by member till the end of his life. He was a his own efforts, and he became a great trustee and deacon in this organization student and reader, being throughout his for something like forty years. He almature years a man who was always ways took great interest in church matters, giving liberally to its support, and also taking an active part in revival ser\'- ices. His life was that of a Christian man and a good neighbor. Hesides his efforts in church work, he was also an earnest worker in the cause of temperance. He was a power for good in the community to a ri])e old age, passing away at his home near I.atty, Jan. i, 1902, in the seventy-fourth year of his life.

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Mrs. Myron H. Jackson, mother of our subject, is still living, and resides on the old home place, making her home with her son. To Mr. Jackson and her were born nine children, of whom seven are still living. Those living are as follows: Fremont, of Altamont, Kans., whose wife was Miss Mattie Hunt, and to whom have been born three children, Clay, Josephine, and Frances; Hattie, wife of James Howard, of Danville, Iowa, to whom have been born three children, Murle, Grace, and Wallace; Denira, wife of Wallace.Miller, of Mediapolis, to whom have been born two sons and one daughter, Espey, Genevieve, and Burton; Burton, of Latty, whose wife was Miss Idaho Pershing, and who has a little adopted daughter, Fthel: Fulgar. whose career is the special subject of this review; I-'rank. whose home is in Prosscr, 'ash., where he has a farm; and Sadie, who is at home.

Edgar Thomas Jackson, the immediate subject of this history, was born on the home ])lace,.\ug. 3, 1868, and received his early education in the district schools and in the Burlington high school. After leaving high school, he spent a term in the Dixon Business College, at Dixon. 111. Most of his time there was given to the stud,v of telegraphy, After attaining a mastery of this profession he secured a position as operator and station agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, at Kamrar, Hamilton county, Iowa. This l)position he filled very satisfactorily for two and a half years. At the end of this time his father needed his assistance so greatly that he returned to the home place and took the supervision of the farm. At this work he has been very successful, making a specialty of stock-raising, raising high-grade cattle and hogs, and some sheep, besides carrying on general farming.

On Sept. 16, 1903, E. T. Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Jackson, the daughter of William and Adeline (Wassom) Jackson, of this township. Mr. and Mrs. William Jackson came from Pennsylvania, and have always followed the business of farming. To Mr. and Mrs. E. T. Jackson one son has been born, William Herbert, born Oct. 14,

Following in the footsteps of his father, Mr. Edgar Jackson has shown his love of country by taking an active part in the political life of the community, affiliating himself with the Republican party. He has served for about five years as chairman of the township central committee of his party, and has several times been a member of the county convention. In the midst of his other interests, Mr. Jackson has always found time to advance the cause of right in the community by doing his share of church work. He is a loyal member of the Baptist church at Sperry, of which his father and mother and his maternal grandfather and grandmother were members, the grandfather and father both being deacons for many years. Mr. E. T. Jackson has always worked in the Sunday-school in various capacities, and is also clerk of the church.

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As printed in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.