Biography of Z. Jackson - Henry County, Illinois


                              JACKSON

Z. JACKSON, postmaster, was born in Erie Count, Pa., in 1831; moved to
Knox County, Ill., in 1839, when a boy nine years old; was raised on a
farm; taught school; bought out a store and commenced merchandising at
Cambridge, Ill., in 1851; built a steam flouring-mill in that town
in 1853; went to Washington County, Neb., in 1854; published the Desoto
Pilot in 1857-58, and also speculated in real estate; went to Pike's
Peak in 1859; there became one of the incorporators of a mountain toll
road; was a member of the Legislature under the old "Provisional
Government," in 1860; returned to Nebraska and enlisted in the army, in
1862, in
Company B, Second Nebraska Cavalry; re-enlisted in the First Battalion
Nebraska Veteran Cavalry, and was mustered as Captain of his Company in
February, 1864. Was in the Indian service on the Upper Missouri River in
1862-63, was mustered out at the close of the war, in 1865, and came to
Kansas the same year. Made the first location at Junction City, Kan.,
and
built a house there in 1866. Went to Mitchell County, in Solomon Valley,
the same year, and built the first log cabin in that county, but soon
abandoned it and returned to Junction City. First came to Ellsworth
County in June, 1867, locating at Fort Harker, where he engaged in the
produce, vegetable and fruit business until the spring of 1869, then
farmed two years in connection with the dairy business. He then followed
general merchandising at the Fort in partnership with A. Larkin,
eighteen months; moved the store to Ellsworth in 1872 and continued in
the business three years longer. Was a member of the Kansas Legislature
in
1868-69; was County Commissioner in 1871-72. He was appointed postmaster
in 1874, holding the office ever since. Has always had a farm. He stands
firmly "on deck," taking no thought of the "undiscovered country."

Source: Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, 1883


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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by 
Susie Martin-Rott< rootbound2@geocities.com >
(© 1997 Susie Martin-Rott)
Transcribed by Susie Martin-Rott
rootbound2@geocities.com