MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 205, 472 & 473
submitted by Jo Ann Carlson, January 7, 2008

April 30, 1886 ---
Yesterday was a birthday anniversary of one of Muscatine’s oldest and most honored citizens – Mr. Peter Jackson. He was surprised in the evening to see the supper table extended to unwonted dimensions and to find in attendance as guests, all his family, including his two married sons and their wives, with some of the neighbors who had “dropped in” to congratulate him on completing his three score and ten years under circumstances of so much promise, with good health and scarcely an appreciable abatement of the vigor of manhood. While thus in life’s autumn it may be truly truly said of him that he has

“All that which should accompany old age, As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends.”

*** article below was found on page 472 ***

DEATH OF PETER JACKSON.
Born into the life Immortal Jan. 31, 1901 (hand written)

Passed Tranquilly Away at 12:45 O’clock This Morning.
Was a Well Known Citizen.
One of the Oldest Early Settlers and a Pioneer in the West-A Notable Life Is Ended and an Esteemed Resident Gone.

The entire community felt a sense of loss this morning when they heard of the passing away in the night of Peter Jackson, one of the oldest residents of this part of the country and one of the best known citizens of Muscatine. The sad event took place at 12:45 this morning at the Jackson residence of West Third Street.

Was not Unexpected.

The death was not unexpected, Mr. Jackson having been critically ill for about two weeks. On the evening of Friday, January 18th, he was taken very suddenly ill with what seemed to be a bad attack of the prevailing la grippe. That night be suffered much, and has been gradually falling ever since. Mr. Jackson though had extraordinary vitality, being one of the best preserved elderly men in the city, and it seemed at times that he might rally and remain with his loved ones for some time, yet, but the disease had gotten too strong a hold upon his constitution. He slowly but surely faded away, the end coming most calmly and peaceably this morning at the hour stated. His last days were brightened by many hours of full consciousness, when he realized that the end was near. It was in these times that he calmly and systematically arranged all his earthly affairs and then without fear or hesitation answered the call to his other home.

His Life.

Peter Jackson was born in Keith, Bamffshire, Scotland, on the 30th of April 1816, and was consequently almost 85 years of age. His education was received in his native village, and was of the best that the time and place afforded. He grew to manhood in Scotland but left for the United States before he had become of age, landing in New York in 1837. After spending the summer in New York he came west and to Muscatine for the purpose of visiting acquaintances. He took a fancy to the locality and decided to locate here, buying some ground and settling permanently in this section in March 1839. On taking up his residence here he first entered the store of Adam Ogilvie as a clerk and in the winter of 1840 formed a partnership with his employer. They followed a mercantile business and also became engaged in pork packing, the firm buying and packing the first pork ever packed in this section. In the spring of 1841, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Ogilvie built the first open front store ever built in the city, and carried on an extensive business in general merchandise. Mr. Ogilvie was finally bought out by Mr. Jackson and the latter carried on the business alone until 1856. During the latter part of that time a large part of his business was receiving and forwarding, this city being at that time an important point on the river and the central station of eastern Iowa. About this time, Mr. Jackson retired from the mercantile business and in company with some others organized the Merchants Exchange bank and again entered the business world in 1865. The bank commenced business May 15th, 1865, with Peter Jackson president, and W.C. Brewster cashier. In 1866 Mr. Jackson became cashier, which position he held for many years.

Was Highly Respected.

Mr. Jackson was a man highly respected in all walks of life. Religiously, was long associated with the First M.E. church of this city, and was at the time of his death one of the oldest members of the church. He had been also for many years a member of the Board of trustees. He was a regular and faithful attendant a church and Sabbath school, and an ament student of the Bible, having stored in his memory many of its rich promises, which he was wont to quote at the social meetings of the church. His loss will be severely felt in the church.

He was also a prominent member of the Old Settlers’ Association, performing with his usual ability the many duties of secretary for many years. In no place will he be more missed than in the regular assemblies of this organization. He was a member of the Odd Fellows society and of the Home Guards, and being an earnest prohibitionist, was indentified with a number of temperance societies. In politics Mr. Jackson was a democrat until the time of Franklin Pierce. Since that time he has been a republican.

He was married in 1845 to Nancy Cox and again in 1857 to Christiana Sinclair. There survive the wife, Christiana S. Jackson, three sons, George B. Douglas V. and Charles P. and one daughter, Mabel.

The funeral.

The funeral will be held at the home at 2 o’clock, Saturday afternoon, services to be conducted by Rev. C. L. Stafford.

Some Tributes.

A few tributes gathered by the Journal this morning from citizens and friends of Mr. Jackson, show the esteem in which he was held.


All Have Suffered Loss.
I have known Peter Jackson for fifty-one years and in all these years, there has never been an unkind word spoken. I believe him to be the best man I have ever associated with both as a business man and a helpful Christian man. The community and the church have suffered a great loss in the death of Peter Jackson. --- J.S. Patten.


Missed as a Class Leader.
I found the late Mr Peter Jackson to be a strictly upright and honest man in all my dealings with him and to be a very open hearted and friendly person. My relations with him have been of the most favorable and I deemed him not only a very useful man but also one who would be a great credit to any community. He was a very earnest church worker and my fellowship with him there I shall never forget. I have walked to and from many meetings with him during the past ten years and always received fatherly advice from him which proved helpful. Mr. Jackson was a prominent class leader and will be greatly missed from his post. I am sure he has gone to his well earned home in Heaven. --- J.W. Rice.


Has Lived Devoted Life.
For twenty-four of the thirty-nine years I have known Mr. Peter Jackson he has been my class leader in the church and a more faithful leader I could hardly imagine. During the past five years he has been more devoated than ever to his Maker and his Maker’s cause. --- Father Davidson.


A Notable Life.
Mr. Jackson lived a notable life in this city, what can be or is necessary to be said of him here where he spent so many years? I knew him for a large part of those years and always found him the same, a man whose life spoke for itself and which in its success is an example for young men. He was a good neighbor and a good man whose loss will be felt. --- Sam. Cohn.


Peter Jackson exemplified throughout his life of more than sixty years in Muscatine the best characteristics of the sturdy Scotchman. Coming to this place when it was a mere hamlet, on a wilderness border and when he had just passed his majority, a stranger in a strange land, he applied himself assiduously and honestly to making a competence, and in long years of patient endeavor and careful management, despite many disadvantages and discouragements that would have overpowered a less determined and courageous nature, he succeeded. In whatever avocation he was occupied, whether as a youthful clerk in a store, and afterwards as a merchant and steamboat agent, and still later as bank cashier, his integrity was undoubted. In short his entire business career is without a stain of dishonesty.


*** continues on Page 473 ***


From His Pastor.
Mr. Peter Jackson, who passed away at 12:45 this morning, has for many years been one of the most prominent and active members of the First Methodist church. Regular in his attendance, not only upon the regular preaching services where he was always a most devout and attentive listener, but also upon the social means of grace and upon the business meetings of the official board of which he was one of the oldest and most influential members. He will be greatly missed in all the departments of the church. For a number of years he has been leader of one of the morning classes and was always at his post of duty. In a quiet, unostentatious, manner but full of sympathy and tenderness and with words of kindness, and encouragement for all, he was greatly endeared to the all the members of his class. His experience or testimony was enriched with choicest scripture and most beautiful selections of sacred poetry which he quoted from memory. Much as he will be missed in other circles nowhere else outside his home will his absence be felt so keenly as in the church where he was so well known and greatly respected and loved.

---

Back to Book One, INDEX

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb, Index Page