Barnabas M. Jackson

Barnabas M. Jackson (deceased), born at Goshen, Orange county, N. Y., in 1807, was a son of Jonathan and Mary (Pellington) Jackson, whose parents were natives of Ireland and England respectively. The family moved to Goshen, Ohio, when Mr. B. M. Jackson was 11 years old. In that town he entered a store as clerk, where he labored for twenty years. In 1883 he married Miss Jane Meek, and in 1838 they moved with their two children — Casinier and Edward—to Lafayette in this townsli p. The trip was made by river to Peoria, thence by wagon road to Lafayette, where he opened a general store, being one of the first merchants here, and for sixteen years one of the leading residents of the county. In 1854 he purchased 200 acres of land adjoining the village, where he resided during the remainder of his life. In 1844 he was elected to the Legislature on the Democratic ticket, and served therein with profit and credit to his constituency. He was the second recorder of this county, serving one term. Though not a member of any orthodox church, he was kindly disposed toward all, and gave to each liberally of his means. A man of remarkable executive ability, he made all his dealings profitable solely by correct and methodical work, and at his death, March 14, 1877, a profound sorrow was manifested by the great number of his acquaintances in this and other states. Mrs. Jackson died December 24, 1880, aged 67 years, after a most useful life here of 42 years. She was an exemplary member of the Methodist church through all those vears. Of their eleven children, nine are living, namely: Casimer, Edward, Albert, Barney, Lucius (in this county), Charles (in Nebraska), Luna (in Knox county), Fred (in Iowa), and Phineas (in Nebraska). Margaret died in Ohio when two years old, and Myra died in this state. Barney, one of the sons, enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1805, and served until the close of his term. A. H. Jackson, the eldest son, born here in 1840, now resides on the old homestead, which comprises 164 acres, all well improved. The members of this family have taken a full part in the progress of this township, and a few of them now are re-enacting pioneer times beyond the Mississippi.