My Genealogy Hound

JOHN S. JACKSON, who is successfully engaged in the quarry business as a member of the firm of Stephens, Jackson & Co., of Pen Argyl, is a native of Devonshire, England, born in the village of Beesands, parish of Stockenham, May 15, 1845. He is a son of Richard Jackson, Sr., to whose sketch upon another page the reader is referred for particulars regarding the family history. In the schools of his native place he received a practical education that fitted him for successful business life, although the broad information he now possesses has been acquired principally by self-culture and application. Early obliged to earn his own livelihood, he secured a situation in the Cammel Quarry in Cornwall, where he remained until about eighteen years of age.

On the 19th of March, 1864, Mr. Jackson took passage on the steamer “City of Cork,” and after a voyage of about two weeks between Liverpool and America landed in New York on the 1st of April, 1864. Proceeding at once to Pennsylvania, he settled in Northampton County, where he secured a position in the Chapman Quarries. After six weeks he opened the Bethlehem Quarry, which he sold to Landback & Wooley for $10,000, then returned to his former position, and remained in the employ of William Chapman the succeeding eleven years. At the expiration of that time he came to Pen Argyl, and with his brother-in-law leased part of the Albion Quarry, which he has since operated under the firm name of Stephens, Jackson & Co. He makes a specialty of the manufacture of roofing slate, which is sold throughout the United States and also in Europe. In addition to the management of this quarry, he also superintends the quarry of Jackson Bros., and is one of the proprietors of a general store in Pen Argyl, conducted under the firm style of J. S. Jackson & Co., and stocked with a complete assortment of general merchandise valued at about $15,000. He is also a stockholder in the Electric Light and Power Company of Pen Argyl.

A Republican in political sentiments, Mr. Jackson takes an intelligent interest in the welfare of his party, which he has frequently represented as delegate to various conventions. He has been a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and was a Justice of the Peace upon the organization of the borough. During the administration of President Harrison he was appointed Postmaster at Pen Argyl and served in that capacity for four years. While a member of the School Board he was instrumental in securing the erection of the new public school building. In various other ways he has contributed to the progress of the place and the welfare of its citizens. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, and was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias.

November 5, 1867, occurred the marriage of John S. Jackson and Miss Emma Louisa, daughter of Joseph Fennel, of Moore Township, Northampton County. They have had six children, namely: John Henry and James Edward, who operate a quarry under the firm name of Jackson Bros., and are young men of excellent executive ability; Clarence, deceased; and Minnie, Emma and Clinton S., who are with their parents.