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Author: HuntingtonV
Surnames: Jackson, Ebersole
Classification: biography
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From Biographical Memoirs of Huntington County, 1901, pages 478-479
THOMAS JACKSON
It is natural when age begins to dim the vision and the twilight is seen in the distance,
for man to turn back to memory and find some of his dearest pleasures in contemplation of
those sunshiny spots of youth, of bounding hopes and rippling laughter; when the world to
him was new and life was was (sic) bright with unalloyed love and joy, This retrospective
condition is inevitable to old age. We draw a fleeting picture upon memory's canvas,
ever changing in its details, but with the same result-the sweets of long ago and the dull
and prosaic now being sometimes sadly intermingled. And who shall say this is not right,
for during man's strong and vigorous years his greatest enjoyments and happiness were
possible. These reflections are suggested while contemplating the long life and active
career of the venerable gentleman whose name, a familiar sound to every man, woman and
child where he lives, forms the caption of this biographical outline.
Thomas Jackson is an eastern man, born September 18, 1811, in Queen Anne county, Maryland.
His father, James Jackson, a blacksmith by occupation, was also a Marylander and served
with distinction in the war of 1812. When Thomas was fourteen years of age the family
moved to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania; thence after two years' residence to Ohio,
settling in the county of Columbiana, where the subject grew to manhood. When quite young,
he became familiar with blacksmithing tools in his father's shop, and soon developed
considerable skill as a worker in iron. Before engaging in any trade, however, he found
employment as a farm hand, and by this means contributed to the support of the family for
a number of years. At the age of eighteen, he began working at carpentering, and to this
trade he devoted his time and attention in the counties of Columbiana and Stark, Ohio,
until 1847, when he decided to improve his material prospects by locating in the then new
and sparsely set!
tled region of northern Indiana. On coming to Huntington county he purchased for three
dollars per acre an eighty-acre tract of land belonging to a Mr. Katy, paying down the sum
of two hundred dollars which he had succeeded in saving from his earnings as a carpenter
and builder.
Immediately after taking possession of his land Mr. Jackson proceeded to erect thereon a
two-roomed log dwelling, and then addressed himself manfully to the greater task of
removing the dense forest growth and prepared a field for cultivation. To reach his place
on coming to the country he was obliged to cut a way several miles through the woods, and
the prospect which presented itself at the time was anything but encouraging. Animated by
a determined purpose to make the most of his opportunity, and realizing that success would
in the end attend continued effort, he worked through heat and cold, subjecting himself to
many exposures and suffering numerous hardships. In the end, however, he was rewarded with
a home comfortable in all of its appointments, besides acquiring a sufficient competency
to place him in independent circumstances. Mr. Jackson's life has been closely
interwoven with the growth and development of Clear Creek township. He has seen it
transformed out of a f!
ew scattering agricultural districts of Huntington county, and as an humble factor in the
cause of progress, has borne well his part in bringing about the present happy condition
of affairs.
Reared a Whig, he supported the party during its existence, and recalls with some degree
of pride the fact of having cast his first ballot for Henry Clay when that noted statesman
ran for the presidency. For some years past he has been a Democrat, earnest in the support
of his political principles and ever ready to maintain them with intelligent argument.
Mr. Jackson was married in Ohio, March 14, 1834, to Miss Hannah Ebersole, who has born him
the following children: Henry, Malinda, George, Sarah J., Benjamin, Johanna, Silas,
Franklin, Simeon and Charles.
Mr. Jackson has lived far beyond man's allotted period, but is still in possession of
his mental and physical faculties to a degree seldom found in one of his advanced age.
While an humble laborer and in a quiet and unassuming way was a forceful factor in the
upward trend of his adopted county, he has always been a man of integrity, and throughout
a long and useful life has discharged every duty incumbent upon him with commendable
fidelity, and made for himself a name untinged by the slightest breath of anything
dishonorable.
His life has been full of good deeds and kind ministrations, and his words of cheer have
encouraged many young people of his neighborhood as they faced the world for the first
time upon their own responsibility.
The biographer, writing for the future as well as for the present generation, would be
unmindful of his duty if he failed to commend to the young the example of such a life.
Commencing as a poor boy, but with a laudable determination to succeed and paving the path
to prosperity only with the solid rocks of honesty, industry, goodness of character and
conduct, we have seen success achieved in the face of formidable obstacles and a name to
be transmitted to posterity that shall ever shine with the radiance emanating from a life
of honor and nobleness of purpose.
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