Edward J. Jackson

As printed in 1888

EDWARD J. JACKSON, a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 14, Franklin Towrl- ? ship, Des Moines Co., Iowa, was born in Luzerne County, Pa., Jan. 31, 1824, and is the son of William and Jerusha (Inraan) Jackson, both of whom were also natives of Luzerne County, and there their children were born. They are as follows: Elizabeth, the eldest, and the widow of Alexander Ray, makes her home with our subject.

Her husband was a dealer in raining stocks, and, while on a trip to France to see about his mining interests, was taken sick and died, leaving two children— Louis, a harness-maker, and Eugenia, the wife of Robert Buckingham, of Los Angeles, C'al. George A., the eldest son, is a farmer in Franklin Township; Martha, a resident of Dodgeville, Iowa, is the widow of Joshua Downer; William, a farmer of Franklin Township; Margaret, wife of Jesse Wassom, also a farmer in that township; James, also engaged in farming in the same township; Lavina, wife of C. B. Kline, a merchant and farmer residing in Dodgville, Iowa; Jerusha, who died in 1862; Susan, who became the wife of AVilliam Thompson, died, leaving one child, William Samuel. The Jackson family settled in Luzerne County, Pa., prior to the Revolutionary War, though they had previously been residents of Connecticut. The Inman family came from Rhode Island, and four of the brothers of Mrs. Jackson were killed in the massacre at Wj'coming. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson remained in their native county until 1842, when they emigrated to Des Moines County, Iowa, where Mr. Jackson had two years prior purchased land. They made the trip by team to Pittsburgh, and from there by boat to Burlington, reaching their destination in June, 1842. At this time the country was almost an unbroken wilderness, and the family lived in true pioneer style. On section 14, where Edward now resides, 440 acres of partly improved land had been purchased, and upon it stands the primitive log cabin which was erected in the fall of 1843. Mr. Jackson was permitted to enjoy his new home but a short time, his death occurring in 1845, at the age of fifty'-three years. His wife survived him until 1862, aged sixty-two years. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Jackson of the Presbyterian.

Upon the death of his father, our subject at once took charge of the home farm, and, with the aid of his brothers, who are all comfortably situated, each owning farms for themselves, soon had the land in a flue state of cultivation. In 1858 the marriage of Edward Jackson and Miss Abigail Chase, a native of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., was celebrated. Together they enjoyed nearly thirty years of wedded

"' ' ' ' ► life, but in 1875 Mrs. J.allison was called to her final home. She was a sincere member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Jaclvson is now the owner of sixty acres of tillable land, and also of a tract of timber land. In his political views he is a Jaclvson Democrat, and has held various township offices, at one time being elected County Supervisor.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Des Moines County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county .. (1888). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.