Jackson, William 1847-1921

JACKSON, BRITTON

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 5/25/2005 at 20:10:24

From the LeMars Sentinel, Friday, May 13, 1921, Page 1, Column 1:
WILLIAM JACKSON DROPS DEAD WHILE IN HIS GARDEN
WAS HOMESTEADER IN FREDONIA

William Jackson, one of the pioneer(s) of Plymouth county, died very suddenly at his home, 707 Ninth street this city, on Tuesday evening. While in his garden he was suddenly stricken and dropped dead. J. W. Hansen, a little son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Hansen, was returning from milking and saw Mr. Jackson fall. The boy observing that Mr. Jackson did not get up ran and told Mrs. Jackson who hastened to the side of her husband. She was shocked to find him dead. Mr. Jackson had been in failing health for some time and had suffered a stroke some months ago but had recovered and was thought to be getting stronger and his sudden death is a great shock to the family.

William Jackson was born in New York state on May 25, 1847, and when a youth moved with his parents to Wisconsin living there until he attained early manhood.

He came to Plymouth county in 1867 before the town of LeMars was in existence, being one of the very early settlers and homesteaded in Fredonia township where he lived and followed the occupation of farming until thirteen years ago. He lived for a year or two at Pierre, S. D., before coming to LeMars to make his home. Mr. Jackson and his wife were among the early settlers who encountered hardships in the rigors of early winters and during the grasshopper days when crops were wiped out year after year, but prospered when brighter days came and lived to see the barren waste of prairie transformed into a part of one of the finest agricultural states in the union and were rewarded for their early toil, faith and perservance (sic--perseverance).

Mr. Jackson was united in marriage with Miss Alice Britton on May 27, 1877. To this union nine children were born. Two died in infancy and a daughter, Della, on December 14, 1919. He is survived by his wife and six children, Clarence Jackson, of Kenneth, Minn.; Mrs. Lulu Pinney, Utica, S. D.; William Jackson, of Hinton; Mrs. Jessie Dorr, of LeMars, Bert Jackson, of LeMars, and Mrs. Josephine Cliff, living on the old home farm. There are eighteen grandchildren. He also leaves a brother at West Plains, Mo.

The funeral services will be held at the residence, 707 Ninth street this afternoon at 2 o'clock and will be conducted by Rev. Walter Torbet of the First Methodist church.

Mr. Jackson was possessed of a cheerful disposition and always displayed good will towards his fellowmen. He was a loyal citizen, a good neighbor and friend and enjoyed the respect of the community where he worked and lived for more than half a century.