Biographies - Elmira Township

David Jackson, born in Rosshire, Scotland, March 15, 1844, is the son of Thomas and Isabella Jackson, old settlers of this county, whose history is given in this chapter. For eighteen years he shared their pioneer labors, and in September, 1862, enlisted in Company B, Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, completing his term of service in 1865.

In 1866, with his brother William, he purchased two hundred and thirty acres on Section 28, and has since devoted his attention to agriculture.

He married Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (Macgraell) Rainey. Her parents came to America in their youth from Ireland, settled at Philadelphia, and there were married in 1851. After his marriage, and up to the period of his death, he was engaged in weaving ingrain carpets. His widow remarried, and now resides at Modena, while the survivor of his two children is the happy wife of Captain Jackson.

A reference to the history of the United Presbyterian church, to the G. Army Post, Odd Fellows, history of schools, political and military chapters, and other sections of this work will point out minutely the place which this family has held here.

For eight years he was a member and Lieutenant of the Elmira Zouaves, and when that company was mustered into the Fourth Illinois National Guards elected Captain, July 25, 1877, and again promoted to Major of the Fourth Illinois National Guards, April 7, 1880. During the unfortunate "strike" of 1877 he was on active service with his command.

His farm adjoins that of his brother William, and the two homes are connected, by private road. In addition to his large acreage of rich Elmira land, he holds eighty acres of timber land, is interested in stock-growing, and from a period prior to coming of age, has held an important place in the esteem of his acquaintances and the history of the township.