My Genealogy Hound

JOSHUA M. JACKSON, a leading farmer in Xenia Township, Greene County, is tilling; one hundred and forty acres of choice land, where he has a comfortable home and in a community whose people hold him in the highest respect. He was born November 17, 1829, in Cedarville Township, and is a son of Hon. Robert Jackson, a native of Eastern Ohio; the latter was born in 1798, and when reaching man’s estate was married to Miss Minerva J. Eddy. The mother of our subject was a native of Warren County, Ohio, where she was reared and married.

The parents of our subject, after their marriage settled at once in Cedarville Township, this county, where they lived until 1858. Then selling out they changed their residence to Xenia, where they sojourned until 1870. Then they removed to a farm in Xenia Township, where the father died about 1878. The mother died in Yellow Springs village, in 1884. The household circle included twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, five of whom died in infancy.

Mr. Jackson was the fourth child of his parents, and was reared in Cedarville Township, Greene County, living there also about two years after his marriage. He then settled on the farm which he now owns and occupies. He was wedded at the bride’s home, in Xenia Township, November 17, 1852, to Miss Mary M., daughter of Alexander and Eleanor (Fitzgerald) Goudy, who were natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Goudy were reared and married in their native State, whence they came to this county and settled in Xenia Township, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Goudy died in August, 1872, and his excellent wife in 1846. They were the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. Jackson was next to the youngest. She was born July 9, 1830, and of her union with our subject there have been born five children, viz.: Robert A., Charles C., Joshua C., Joseph E. and Mary. Robert died when an interesting youth of sixteen years; Charles C., who possesses more than ordinary business ability and energy, started out at an early age on his own account and is now in the banking business at Osborn, holding a fine position among his fellow citizens, socially and financially; Joshua C. is farming in Xenia Township; Joseph E. is in the mercantile business at Xenia.

Mr. Jackson has held some of the school offices, and in politics is a sound Republican. Both he and his estimable wife are members, in good standing, of the United Presbyterian Church. During the Civil War, Mr. Jackson entered the Union Army, enlisting in May, 1864, in Company F, One hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, serving with the one hundred days’ men. Notwithstanding he escaped some of the harder experiences of army life, he suffered exposure to such an extent that his health was greatly impaired.

Hon. Robert Jackson, the father of our subject, was one of the leading men of this county. Prior to the war he was Brigadier-General of the Greene County Militia. He at one time represented the county in the State Legislature, and for nine years was one of the County Commissioners. He was looked upon as one of the most liberal and public-spirited men of his time.

Alexander Goudy, the father of Mrs. Jackson, served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He furnished a fine example of honor and morality, was possessed of more than ordinary intelligence and a man looked up to in his community. Both the Jackson and Goudy families occupy no unimportant position in the history of the county.