Biographical Sketch of Asa Jackson - Henderson County, Illinois Biographical sketch with annotations from other sources, i.e. 1850 Illinois cenus, book on cemetery records of Henderson Co., Ill., Civil War record of Lewis Jackson from Veterans Home in Hot Springs, SD. >From pp. 416-17 of Potrait and Biographical Record of McDonough, and Henderson Counties, Illinois, published 1894 in Chicago by Lake City Publishing Co. "Asa Jackson, who is numbered among the early settlers of Henderson County, his home now being on section 4, Rozetta Township, was born on the 28th of January, 1817, in Jackson County, Ind., and is a son of Willington and Elsie (Davis) Jackson. The father was born in Virginia and was of English descent. In the family were thirteen children, and, with one exception, all grew to mature years, but only three are living at this writing (in the spring of 1894), namely: Asa of this sketch; ELISHA, WHO NOW FOLLOWS FARMING IN KANSAS [emphasis added]; and Lewis [Civil War veteran, b.ca. 1835, served in 16th Ill. Cavalry, Co. F, who died unmarried at State Veterans Home in Hot Springs, South Dakota 2 Dec 1900], who is an agriculturist of the same State. The father continued to live in the Old Dominion until about thirty years of age, when he emigrated westward to Indiana, making the journey by team. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Jackson County, and there entered land from the Government, his claim being located near Brownstown. After erecting a log cabin, he began to clear and improve the farm, and in the midst of the forest developed a good home. The Indians were still in the neighborhood, and the white settlers, therefore, were frequently compelled to seek protection in forts. Mr. Jackson remained in the Hoosier State until his death, which occurred in 1840. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and a highly respected citizen. His wife passed away several years previous. "Asa Jackson was reared upon the old homestead farm in the county of his nativity, and attended a subscription school, which was held in a log schoolhouse two miles from his home. He is largely self-educated, however, for he could attend school only through the winter season, when there was a lull in the farm work. He began to earn his own livelihood at the age of eighteen years, by working as a farm hand at $8 per month. He was thus employed for two years after which he rented land and began farming in his own interest. He continued the cultivation of property belonging to others until 1849, when he left his native State and came to Illinois. "Previous to his removal, Mr. Jackson was married, having in 1836 led to the marriage altar Miss L. Henlider [her full name was Lavisa M. Hinderliter]. By their union have been born seven children: Michael [age 11 in 107th family on 1850 Henderson Co., Ill. census], who is now deceased; Adeline [age 10 in 1850 Ill. census], widow of John Morse; Eveline [age 8 in 1850 Ill. census;], wife of Eli Beaty [marriage record gives her name as Emily A., married 25 Dec 1861]; Lavina [age 7 in 1850 Ill. census], wife of George Brown [married 10 Feb 1867]; Eliza [probably was daughter named Mary, age 2 in 1850 Ill. census], wife of Alexander Smith [marriage record shows the name of Eliza M., married in Henderson Co., Ill. on 9 Mar 1876]; Mahala [age 5 in 1850 Ill. census], wife of Hugh Haines [in Vol. II, p. 111 of Henderson County, Illinois Cemeteries, there are records for the graves of Hugh Haines and Mahala in the Reed Cemetery; his gravestone reads: "Hugh Haines, born 18 Jan 1854, died 23 Jan 1899," and hers reads: "Mahala Jackson, his wife, born 20 Jun 1848, died 12 Oct 1905, also wife of W. Russell"]; and Ellen [not on in 1850 Ill. census, probably born after 1850], wife of David Penrose. [It appears from Mahala's gravestone record that the ages of Mahala and her sister, Eliza Mary, were mixed up on the 1850 Illinois census, i.e. Mahala's age should have been recorded at age 2 and Eliza at age 5.] "It was in 1849 that Mr. Jackson came to Henderson County, and purchased eighty-one acres of land on section 8, Rozetta Township. Only a few acres had been broken, the greater part of it being still in its primitive condition; but he at once began to cultivate it, and soon the entire amount was put under the plow. Good buildings and other improvements were made, and in the course of time the farm became one of the best in the neighborhood. Mr. Jackson continued to make his home thereon until 1893, when he sold his first property, and removed to the farm where he now resides. His life has been a busy and useful one, and as the result of his industry, perserverence and good management he has acquired a comfortable competence. In his political views, Mr. Jackson has long been a supporter of the Republican party, and is a member of the Christian Church. During his long residence in this county he has made many friends, and it is with pleasure that we present this record of his life to our readers." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. 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