Jackson, Archibald

JACKSON, WIDWICH, CROMWELL, NIBLOCK, SANDERSON

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 6/30/2021 at 11:36:23

Archibald Jackson, proprietor of the Jackson House, at Crawfordsville, was born in Schuyler, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 17, 1808, his parents being Archibald and Nancy (Widwich) Jackson, also natives of that county, the latter of German origin. Archibald Jackson, Sr., was a large dealer in horses, and during his life made that his principal business. During the War of 1812 he was Captain of Artillery, but his death occurred while yet a young man. Our subject the only child and when a mere lad his mother, then a widow, was again married to Samuel Cromwell, of Canada, in which country her son grew up to manhood, and learned both the carpenter and mill-wright trades.

Our subject’s marriage was celebrated in 1843, Miss Jane Niblock becoming his wife. Her parents, Thomas and Jane (Sanderson) Niblock, had seven children – John, William, Mary Ann, Isabella, Samuel, Jane and Sarah. Both parents were born, reared and married in County Monaghan, in the North of Ireland, and their children were all born in that country prior to their emigration in 1826 to Canada, where they located in the county of Leeds, and there resided at the time of our subject’s marriage. Mr. Jackson engaged in the mercantile business for several years in Farmersville, and five children were born in Canada prior to their removal to Iowa – Andrew J.; Alfred W., deceased: Jennie, Nettie and Emma.

In 1855 the family emigrated to Iowa, locating in Crawfordsville, and after engaging in farm work for one year, Mr. Jackson opened a general stock of merchandise, which business he engaged in for a quarter of a century, disposing of the same in 1881, on account of advanced age. In 1857 they moved to their present home, where their children were reared, and four of them were married. Two children were born in Iowa: Anna, deceased, and Frank A. The eldest son was a volunteer in Co. I, 25th Iowa Vol. Inf., enlisting when eighteen years of age, and serving during the entire war. Nettie wedded Frank Seber, a dealer in stock and real estate; they are the parents of three children – Harry, Lena and Henry. Jennie became the wife of John Titus, whose death occurred in 1882, at his country residence; one daughter, Edith, graced their union, whose mother now resides with her parents in Crawfordsville. Emma wedded Dr. Theophilus Bennett, of Lenox, Iowa; Frank is an expert telegraph operator, resides in Omaha, and is the husband of Lizzie Rout; one son was born in 1887.

For more than a quarter of a century Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have kept hotel in Crawfordsville, and despite his advanced age, Mr. Jackson is still a popular landlord. His liberality while in business decreased his capital, but a long lifetime of fair dealing had given him the confidence of the entire community. His good wife, now sixty-five years of age is as blithe and merry as a girl of twenty. Her large family have been well cared for and carefully educated. Jennie was for several terms a teacher in the schools of this village.
Mr. Jackson is one of the oldest and most worthy citizens of the township.

He has been a working member of the Baptist Church for twenty-eight years, and Mrs. Jackson of the same for forty-two years. Three years ago Mrs. Jackson changed her views and joined the Presbyterians. Who can not recall the kindly word of sympathy which “Auntie” Jackson always has for those who most need it. Many bereaved parents who in the hour of their deepest grief at the loss of their loved ones, have been consoled by her fervent prayer to the Giver of all blessings to heal their sorrows, and as her tender hands gently closed the eyes which were sleeping that dreamless sleep from which none awaken, have oft remarked that her motherly counsel and Christian graces made their grief more bearable. Deacon Jackson is none the less idolized by his old neighbors and friends, and his prayer of faith may be heard morning, noon and night, as his family gather about the well-spread board. Wedded in faith, mind and heart, these good people have grown old together. As they journey down the hillside of life, hand in hand, loving and trusting each other, devoted to God and their children, it seems that they have been spared as examples for others to follow, both in social and in Christian life.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Archibald Jackson, pages 383-384.