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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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WILLIAM JACKSON, who resides on section 30, Du Quoin Precinct, where he carries on general farming, was born December 24, 1831, and is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Munton) Jackson. His father was a native of Leicestershire, England, and was there employed as a shepherd. He died in the place of his birth, July 1, 1858, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife was also born in Leicestershire, and was called to her final rest August 12, 1869, at the age of sixty-seven. By their marriage were born eight children, but only two are now living, Thomas, who resides in Van Buren County, Mich., and William, of this sketch.

Our subject grew to manhood in the county of his nativity, and at an early age began to earn his livelihood by working in the neighborhood at any employment which he could find that would yield him an honest living. His wages often amounted to but $15 per month. He acquired such education as opportunities afforded, but his privileges were very meagre. When a young man of twenty-two years, he became possessed of a strong desire to seek a home beyond the Atlantic, for he had pictured to himself brighter prospects and a more successful career in America.

Crossing the ocean, Mr. Jackson landed in New York City on Independence Day of 1852. He had only sufficient means to purchase a ticket to Syracuse, N. Y., whither he journeyed. Arriving there, he was compelled to pawn his trunk in order to buy his breakfast. He at once started on foot into the country to seek work and succeeded in engaging himself to a farmer at fifty cents per day. At the end of six weeks, having saved enough money for the purpose, he started to find a brother living in Michigan, and succeeded in locating him in Grass Lake.

At that place our subject remained for eighteen months, working in the employ of the railroad, when he determined to go south, and made his way to Red River Landing, La. While in the south he frequently witnessed the sale of slaves on the block. The cruelty of the transaction was more than his humane nature could tolerate, and he left for a free state. He was stricken with typhoid fever at Cairo, Ill., and unattended lay on the berth of a dirty Mississippi steamboat, with often no one to give him a drink of water, but his strong constitution at length overcame the disease, and after some time he was restored to health.
For two months Mr. Jackson engaged in driving mules, and then started for Nine Mile Prairie, now known as Du Quoin Precinct, walking the entire distance. This was in 1854. He secured work on the construction of the railroad which was just being built in Perry County, and was thus employed for nine months, during which time he saved enough money to purchase eighty acres of land three miles west of Du Quoin. This was his first real start in life, and that little property served as the nucleus around which has gathered his present possessions.

On the 25th of February, 1855, occurred the marriage of William Jackson and Elizabeth Morgan, of Du Quoin Precinct, daughter of Abram Morgan, of Kentucky. Five children blessed this union, of whom three are yet living, Sarah E., wife of Henry H. Kimmell, a farmer of Du Quoin Precinct; William A., who married Anna A. Pyatt, daughter of Izri Pyatt, of Pinckneyville, Ill., and Minnie A., wife of Arthur C. Hoge, of Du Quoin Precinct.

Two years after his marriage Mr. Jackson purchased three hundred acres of land, mostly covered with timber, and the only improvement thereon was a log cabin. He kept adding to his possessions as his financial resources increased until he acquired fifteen hundred acres. He has dealt liberally with his children, giving to each a good farm, yet he still owns twelve hundred acres of valuable land, upon which he has erected a magnificient and commodious residence. His farm is equipped with all the latest improvements and agricultural implements, and his barns and outbuildings are models of convenience. He has shown his neighbors’ what thrift and enterprise have done for a boy who started in life with scarcely a dollar. He has the reputation of being one of the best and most successful farmers of Perry County, and in connection with farming he is also largely interested in coal mining. In politics he is a Republican, and is a stanch supporter of America and her institutions. While not a member of any church, he is a liberal contributor to religious work.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Perry County, Illinois family biographies here: Perry County, Illinois Biographies

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