M. R. Jackson 1845-1925

JACKSON, JOHNSTON, SMITH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 9/14/2017 at 08:45:42

11 November 1925 - The Tipton Conservative

This community was greatly shocked and saddened last Friday morning by the death of a much esteemed citizen, M. R. Jackson, who passed away at 9:30 o'clock at his home after only six days of illness due to kidney and heart complications.

Mallery Raby Jackson was born in Licking County, Ohio, Aug. 26, 1845, the second son of eight children that blessed the union of James W. and Elizabeth Jackson, who came to the United States from England in 1837. He moved with his parents to Iowa at the age of 17, locating at Iowa City, where he finished his education and started to work in the Iowa State Press office.

The year following he enlisted in Company D, 44th infantry, served four months with the army in Tennessee and on being mustered out returned to Iowa City and again engaged in the printing business.

March 31, 1875, he established The Tipton Conservative, with which he was connected as editor and publisher for nearly forty years, retiring April 1, 1923.

During these years of prolonged activity he was more or less identified with county, state and national political affairs, including two terms of service on the democratic state central committee and as district delegate and secretary of the Iowa delegation at the national convention in Chicago that nominated Grover Cleveland for president in 1892.

In 1871 he was united in marriage to Mary M. Smith, who survives him. Of the two daughters born to them, the eldest, Myrtle Irene, brightened the home for only seven years, her death occurring in 1884. The other daughter, Mrs. W. H. Johnston, resides at Muscatine. Besides the wife and daughter two grandsons, William Raby and Robert M. Johnston; one brother, Charles Jackson of Orient, Ia., and several nephews and nieces are left to mourn his loss.

In his youth he became a member of the United Brethren Church at Lewis Center, O., and held to that faith through life. His long span of years was enriched by countless close friendships both at home and in various parts of the state, and these have been a source of deepest satisfaction as he neared the end of his earthly career. The unwavering loyalty which invariably marked these associations bore out in full measure the advice of the philosopher who said, "If thou wouldst have a friend, be one." In spite of the time so freely given to public service his home was his sanctuary, and the support and counsel of those within it the things he valued most. He possessed an exceptional buoyancy of spirit which carried him and those near him over times of stress, ever looking ahead with boundless faith toward what the future might hold.

The keynote of his life might well be expressed in a thought taken from his own writing:
"The past ignore and look ahead,
The bow of promise shining;
The clouds their somber shades have shed
And left the silver lining."

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, Nov. 8, from his last home on Eighth street, Rev. C. K. Hudson conducting the services, assisted by Rev. G. F. Weissling. Interment was made in Masonic cemetery.