My Genealogy Hound

DANIEL JACKSON, (deceased) farmer; born in Fauquier Co., Va., Jan. 16, 1808; he was brought up to farm labor until 18 years of age, when he emigrated to Champaign Co., Ohio, living two years, then to Sangamon Co., Ill., a short time, and in the fall of 1830, came to McLean Co. and laid a claim upon Sec. 5, Empire Township; he made his home in the winter of 1830 and 1831 with John W. Dawson, and when not in his employ, made improvements upon his place; in 1834 and 1835, he entered his claim of 160 acres, upon which he lived until his decease, which occurred March 20, 1861. When Mr. Jackson located here, his property consisted of one yoke of oxen and one horse; he worked, during harvest, at 25 to 50 cents per day; he often made trips with his oxen to Chicago, taking up wheat, which he sold at 35 to 40 cents per bushel, receiving his pay in groceries, salt, leather, etc. His pine lumber, door, windows, etc., for his first frame house, he hauled from Chicago with oxen—the trip consuming about two weeks. Commencing in life without capital, he had, at the time of his death, accumulated upwards of five hundred acres of land, a part of which was his original claim, upon which he located in 1830. His marriage with Margaret Waldon was celebrated Feb. 12, 1832; she was born in Rockingham Co., Va., May 5, 1809; ten children were the fruit of this union, of which eight are now living — Mary Ann (now Mrs. R. R. Dalton), Elizabeth J. (now Mrs. Narley), Esther (now Mrs. F. Wahls), Andrew, Ruth (now Mrs. Rehker), Margaret, Armanda R. and Daniel T. Mrs. Jackson now lives upon the old home, with her son Andrew; he was born May 5, 1840, and brought up on the old farm until Aug. 11, 1862, when he enlisted in Co D, 94th Regt. Vol. Inf., and went forward to battle for the Union; he served through the campaign of Missouri and Arkansas, after which he served in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Alabama; he was in many severe engagements, among which was the battle of Prairie Grove, siege and capture of Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Morganzia, Fort Morgan, Ala.; after taking the above fort, he was engaged in several raids in Alabama, one of which was up the Fish River, where they destroyed the rebel salt works of upwards of 1,200 kettles; upon the 26th of March, 1865, was in the attack upon Spanish Fort, Mobile Bay, which continued until April 9, when it surrendered; he was then forwarded to Galveston, Tex., when he was mustered out of service July 17, 1865, receiving his discharge Aug. 9, 1865, at Springfield, Ill., having served in the Union army three years; he then returned to Empire Township, and located upon the old place, where he has since successfully followed farming.