My Genealogy Hound

James M. Jackson. Among the many enterprising and successful farmers of Washington County, Ark., none is more worthy of mention than James M. Jackson, who was born in Preble County, Ohio, in the year 1821, and is the son of Hon. Andrew and Amelia (Blancher) Jackson. The father was born in Kentucky in 1801, and at a very early date moved to Ohio, where he engaged in farming. In 1828 he moved from Ohio to Indiana, where he followed agricultural pursuits for some time. In 1831 he served as associate judge of the court, and in 1833 moved to Anderson, and was elected sheriff of Madison County, which position he held for four years, and was extensively engaged in the milling business. In 1837 he was elected clerk and auditor of Madison County, which double office he held for seven years; but before that office had expired he was elected to the State Senate from Madison and Hancock Counties, in 1844, which position he held for four years. In 1853 he was re­elected to the same office and served two terms, making eight years that he served his county in the Senate, after which he retired to private life, and engaged in agriculture and raising fine stock. He died April 21, 1878, leaving eight children: David, Enoch, Matilda, Mary, Caroline, Eliza, Mattie and James M. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Indiana, and remained with his parents until he grew to manhood. In 1844 he married Miss Malinda S. McAllister, daughter of John and Hester (McGrady) McAllister, of Madison County, Ind. Mr. McAllister was a wealthy farmer, and commissioner of Madison County for a great many years, and was a very prominent man. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were born these children: Charles C., who married Miss Mattie Passwater, is the father of seven children, and is now living in Indiana; Hester C., married to George W. Spann, has three children, and is living in Indiana; Mary J., wife of J. W. Foland, and mother of two children, who also lives in Indiana; John M., who married Miss Mary Alfred has three children, and is now living at Springdale, Washington Co., Ark.; Bessie A., wife of J. N. Lee, and the mother of one child (Carrie Lee), married to her second husband, K. Terry, lives in Washington County, Ark.; William W., who married Miss Annie Busey, and the father of one child, also living near Elm Springs, Washington Co., Ark., and engaged in farming. Mr. Jackson first commenced life by being deputy clerk of the county court, under his father, but afterward engaged in the milling business in connection with farming, which he continued until 1863, when he embarked in the dry goods and grocery business at Perkinsville and Anderson, where he continued until 1870, after which he sold out and followed farming alone until 1873, when he moved to Anderson, Ind. Here he was elected city clerk, which position he held for two years, and was then elected justice of the peace, holding the last named office until he moved to Washington County, Ark., near Elm Springs, in 1882. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is a Democrat in politics.