My Genealogy Hound

REV. J. WILFORD JACKS. There is no profession that brings with it greater responsibilities than the ministry, and he who discharges its varied duties conscientiously and successfully is entitled to the esteem of his fellow-men. Such has been the fortunate experience of the subject of this sketch, who for twenty-three years has filled his present pastorate. Called to the Presbyterian Church of Romulus in the opening years of manhood, this was his first and it has been his only charge. His congregation consists of about two hundred and seventy members, who are active in good works, and have contributed largely to the religious progress of this village.

Born in Batavia, N. Y., Rev. Mr. Jacks is the son of James C. and Josephine B. (Wilford) Jacks, also natives of Batavia. His grandfather, Samuel, was a son of Alexander Jacks, a member of an old Scotch family. The former was born in Londonderry, N. H., in 1792, and was left an orphan at an early age. During the War of 1812 he took an active part, being in the navy. He aided in the capture of a British supply ship loaded with blankets and other articles for the soldiers in America. According to naval law, the cargo was sold and the money distributed among the sailors, in which way he secured his start in life.

Alter having spent a year in the service, Grandfather Jacks returned to his New Hampshire home. Soon afterward he removed to Batavia, N. Y., where he purchased land now situated in the central part of the village. There he opened a blacksmith-shop, which he operated for a time. Later he purchased a tract of land, comprising about three hundred acres, and to that place he removed, spending his declining days in retirement there. He died in 1866, at the age of seventy-four. His marriage united him with Miss Betsey, the daughter of Ephraim Husted, a native of New York.

The education of our subject was gained in the district schools of the home neighborhood and in the academy at Batavia, after which he carried on his studies in Hamilton College, graduating from that institution on completing the prescribed course. After completing his studies, he taught school for two years in Lowville Academy and Whitestown Seminary, and then entered Auburn Theological Seminary, where he took the full course. On the completion of his theological course, in 1872, he accepted the pastorate of the church at Romulus, where he was ordained to the ministry, and where he has since remained. He has done effective work here, and is regarded as one of the ablest men in the community. His course in life, too, has been so consistent as to prove that his religion is not one of mere profession, but that he is inspired in his work by the noblest of motives — love to God and to his fellow-men.

While Rev. Mr. Jacks has never had any time for active participation in public affairs, he is, nevertheless, well informed regarding the issues of the age, and in political belief adheres to the policy of the Republican party. The family of which he is a member consists of five children, the others beside himself being Mary K., wife of Rev. H. H. Kellogg, of Havana, Schuyler County; Julia W., wife of W. T. Bradley, a farmer by occupation; James C., Jr., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits; and S. Josephine, who is the wife of Frank L. Silliman.

In addition to the relation he occupies in regard to the church at home. Rev. Mr. Jacks is stated Clerk of the Presbytery at Geneva, and permanent Clerk of the Synod of New York. He is a member of the Theta Delta Chi of the Psi Chapter, also of the Phi Beta Kappa, the scholarship society of the country.