My Genealogy Hound

Nicholas S. Jackson, merchant, was born in Benton County, Ark., March 14, 1845, son of James and Rebecca (Williams) Jackson. James Jackson was born in North Carolina in 1804, received a good common-school education, and after arriving at mature years immigrated with his father to Tennessee, making the journey to that State in wagons. The country was wild and unsettled, and our sturdy adventurers suffered many of the privations incident to those early days in an unsettled country. Rebecca Jackson, the mother, was also a native of North Carolina, and removed to Tennessee when but a young woman. She was afterward married to Mr. Jackson, and bore him fifteen children, six now living: Albert, Dawson, Andrew, Mrs. Laura Curtis, Nicholas and Mrs. Virginia Ludley. The children deceased were named Mary, Zachariah T., Mrs. Elizabeth, Gailbreath, James Mc, Acenith, Conway, Richardson and an infant unnamed. Mr. Jackson followed farming in Tennessee, and afterward emigrated to Benton County, Ark., and was among the first settlers of this county. He was here before the State was admitted into the Union, and when there were a few cabins where Springfield now stands. He was obliged to go forty miles to mill, and all his trading was done at Van Buren and Fort Smith, where he went twice a year. The people of Benton County showed their appreciation of him, after the county had been made, by electing him to represent them at Little Rock as a member of the House of Representatives. He selected the site of his grave, and died on the old homestead. His wife is now living, and is eighty-two years of age. She is strong and vigorous, does her own house-work, and is able to ride horseback. Their son, Nicholas S., was born on the farm where the father spent the greater part of his life, and passed his days, like most children, in the school-room. At a time when his mind should have been almost entirely taken up with his studies the war broke out, and his books, were thrown aside. On account of his strong Southern convictions, Mr. Jackson was driven from home, and afterward enlisted in the Confederate service, being engaged in active duty for one year. He enlisted in Company A, Col. Adair’s regiment, Cherokee brigade, and during this time of service was in a number of engagements: Fort Smith, Blackburn, Prairie, crossing the Arkansas river on rafts, swimming the horses and charging a fortified troop of negroes, and capturing a number, and Fayetteville being the most important fights, but was in numerous skirmishes. He surrendered at Fayetteville. Mr. Jackson returned home after the war only to find the magnificent property in ruins; houses, fences, etc., being destroyed. Mr. Jackson went to work to repair and rebuild, hauling apples to Texas to buy their meat and bread the first year. He continued to live on the home farm, and was there married to Miss Martha — , a native of Washington County, Ark., and the daughter of Hugh___ . This union resulted in the birth of ten children, eight now living: Leanora, James H., Arthur, Arkie, Maud, Chester, George and Frank. Those deceased were named Ida and Conway. After marriage Mr. Jackson began farming for himself on the farm given him by his father, and there he continued to live until 1883, when he sold out and went to Bentonville. He there dealt in stock, and was also engaged in shipping grain. He then purchased and operated the mill at Bentonville, being engaged in that business for only a short time. He then engaged in the clothing business, but soon sold out and engaged in the general commission business. This he followed until coming to Maysville, where he formed a partnership with W. D. Dudmon, and again ventured into the general mercantile business. Since that time he has bought out his partner’s interest, and now conducts the largest and most extensive establishment in Maysville. Mr. Jackson is a stanch Democrat in politics, never having voted any other ticket; is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.