ALABAMA TRAILS
BIOGRAPHIES

- HON. JAMES JACKSON -


Hon. James Jackson
Portrait and Headstone Photos from Cindy Robinett (Find-A-Grave)

The memory of James Jackson will linger long in Lauderdale. He was a native of Ireland, and born in the year 1784. His parents were in comfortable circumstances, and the wife well educated. About the time he attained to manhood, he came to America, and settled in Nashville, Tennessee, as merchant. He acquired property rapidly, and made numerous friends. Among them was Gen. Andrew Jackson, who prize him highly, but from whom he was estranged by a domestic incident. In 1821 he came to this county and engaged in planting; and at his home, "The Forks" of Cypress, he despensed a princely hospitality till his death. In 1822 he entered public life as a member of the general assembly, an served the county in both branches. He was president of the senate in 1830. His party were in a minority in the county and he was twice beaten for the senate by Hon. Hugh McVay He died in the year 1840. Mr. Jackson was large and portly with very handsome features. He was possessed of great energy, tact, and judgment, which, added to an open and manly deportment, wealth, and liberality, gave him extensive popularity and influence. He was a patron of the turf, and imported a large number of horses into the South, whose qualities he tested on all the favorite courses. His wife was Mrs. McCulloch (nee Moore) of Tennessee. Of his several children. Hon. William M. Jackson has represented Franklin in both branches of the general assembly.
Alabama - Her Resources & History by Willis Brewer 1872

James Jackson the son of Hon. James Jackson, is a native and resident of Lauderdale. He entered the service of his State as a private in the 4th Alabama Infantry, and was shot through the lungs at the first battle of Manassas. A few months later he became lieutenant colonel of the 27th Alabama. At Fort Donelson, where the regiment served with courage, he was captured, and not exchanged for seven months. He then became colonel by the death of Col. Hughes, and led the regiment during the remainder of its proud career. At Kennesaw he lost an arm, which disabled him for some time. He was commanding the brigade in North Carolina when Gen. Johnston surrendered. The same year he was elected to the senate, and served till 1867. Col. Jackson is of ordinary stature, and reserved demeanor. His energy and decision of purpose are noteworthy traits. He prefers deeds to words.
Alabama - Her Resources & History by Willis Brewer 1872

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James Jackson Jr. Planter, probate judge, lieutenant-colonel, C.S. Army, was born April 21, 1822 at Nashville, Tenn., and died August 14, 1879 at Florence; son of James Jackson Sr., and Sarah (Moore-McCollough) Jackson; brother of William Moore Jackson. He was educated in private schools of Nashville and Florence, engaged in extensive planting, built a large plantation residence, nine miles from Florence, which he called "The Sinks" where he lived and died. He enlisted in the Confederate service, April 1861 4th Alabama infantry regiment, was wounded in the battle of Manassas, on recovering organized the 27th Alabama infantry regiment and was elected lieutenant-colonel; was captured with the regiment at Ft. Donelson, held prisoner seven months; was exchanged; and was with his regiment in the siege of Jackson, Miss.; participated in the Georgia Campaign; lost an arm at Kenesaw Mountain; later was with Hood at Nashville; assigned to Joseph E. Johnston's army and commanded a brigade under Gen. Loving, at the battle of Bentonville NC 1865, when Johnston surrendered. He returned to his home and resumed planting operations, and was chosen probate judge of Lauderdale County. He was an old line Whit, a "Know-Nothing"" after 1865, a Democrat. Married October 3, 1850 at Florence to Elizabeth Perkins, daughter of William O'Neal and Rebecca (Meredith) Perkins of Lauderdale County. Children: 1. William married Sarah Weakley; 2. Jane 3. Mary Steele; 4. Sallie Moore; 5. Eleanor Kirkman married William H. Phillips; 6. James Kirkman m Helen Gunter of Montgomery; 7. Charles Pollard married Eliza S. Tatum; 8. Robert Andrews; 9. Elizabeth Perkins. Last residence; The Sinks of Florence.

History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume 3 By Thomas McAdory Owen, Marie Bankhead Owen

JACKSON, James Kirkman, business man, was born April 7, 1862 at Florence son of James and Elizabeth (Perkins) Jackson, of Florence, the former who was colonel of the Twenty-seventh Alabama infantry regiment, C.S. Army; grandson of William O. and Pochontas Bolling (Meredith) Perkins, of Lauderdale County; great grandson of Elisha and Sarah Bolling (Cabell) Meredith of Prince William County, VA the latter whose grandfather was a colonel in the Revolutionary Army; and a descendant of James and Sarah (Moore) Jackson, the former a native of Ballaby, County Monaghan, Ireland, and one of the pioneers and founders of Florence, the later a lineal descendant ofSir John Yeamans and James Moore, Colonial governors of Carolina. Mr. Jackson received his early schooling under a private tutor at Florence, and attended the state normal school, at that place. He was admitted to the bar, but never engaged in the practice of law. In 1883, he was appointed clerk of the Alabama railroad commission, and held that position for four years; served as private secretary to Gov. Thomas Seay, 1887-1890; to Gov. Thomas G. Jones, 1890-1894; and to Gov. Jelks 1902-1907, serving the last three months of that time under Gov. Comer; was elected secretary of state, 1894-1898. He is a Democrat and an Episcopalian. Married: February 21, 1900 at Montgomery to Helen Gunter, daughter of William A. and Helen (Poelnitz) Gunter, of Marengo County. Children: 1. James Kirkman Jr; 2. Helen. Residence Birmingham.

History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume 3 By Thomas McAdory Owen, Marie Bankhead Owen

JACKSON, William Moore, was born in Lauderdale County, this State, June 19, 1824. His parents were James and Sarah (Moore) Jackson, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of the State of North Carolina. Mrs. Jackson was a great-granddaughter of the celebrated James Moore, who, in his lifetime, filled the offices of governor, at different times, of the colonies of both North and South Carolina. James Jackson came to this county from Nashville, Tenn., in 1S10, and here followed planting and stock breeding the rest of his life, dying in 1840, at the age of 58 years. He was a Whig in politics, represented this county several terms in the Legislature, and the district two or three times in the State Senate, of which he was twice president. He was one of the pioneers of Lauderdale. In fact, he was one of the company of live that composed the very first settlers of the county. The subject of this sketch was educated at the University of North Carolina, and subsequently studied law at Transylvania University, Lexington. Ky. Since 1S48 up to the present time, he has been interested in cotton planting, both in Alabama and Arkansas. He has made his home in Florence since 1875. He was the representative to the Legislature from Franklin County, session of 185 7; was in the Senate from 1859 to 1S65: and was a member until the time of the military government. He has always taken an active interest in politics, is a good Democrat, and has represented his party many times as delegate to the various State and Congressional Conventions. He is at present living in virtual retirement, though discharging the duties of Notary Public. He was married in Franklin County (now Colbert) in 1840, to Miss Thirmnthies McKiernan, daughter of Maj. Bernard McKiernan, an extensive planter of Colbert. Mr. Jackson's sons, James, Thomas H. and B. M. are all attorneys-at-law.

Northern Alabama Historical & Biographical by T.A. DeLand and A. Davis Smith 1888 Birmingham AL

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William Moore Jackson, planter and public official, was born June 19, 1824 in Lauderdale County and died December 21, 1899 at Florence; son of James and Sarah 9Moore-McCollough) Jackson, of "The Forks" Florence; brother of James Jackson jr. He was educated by private tutors; entered the University of North Carolina; studied law at the Transylvania University KY; but engaged more extensively in cotton planting than in the practice of his profession. He acquired large tracts of land both in Alabama and Arkansas and during the latter part of the War of Secession, he caused to be burned three hundred bales of cotton, in Arkansas, to prevent it falling into the Federal hands. In 1857 he represented Colbert County in the legislature; in the senate, 1859-65, when the U.S. Military forces took charge of the administration of affairs in Alabama. Later he was a notary public in Lauderdale. He was a Democrat, a member of the convention that seceded from the Union and voted for secession. His plantation home was alternately headquarters for Confederate and Federal officers. A division of Gen. Hood's army was encamped on his plantation, at one time, while Generals Stephen D. Lee, Frank Cheatham and A.T. Stewart were guests at his house. Married: June 16, 1846 to Thermis Waters, daughter of Bernard and Marianne (Waters) McKiernan, of Hagerstown, MD. Children: 1. Sarah M., married O.H. Bynum; 2. Mary M. married Edward Winston; 3. James married Althea Wardlaw; 4. Thomas Hunt, married Rebecca McKay; 5. Bernard M.; 6. Susannah M. married John Harris. Last residence - Florence.

History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume 3 By Thomas McAdory Owen, Marie Bankhead Owen

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