Sylvadore Jackson

As printed in 1902

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 Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.