Will County IL Archives Biographies.....JACKSON, FRANK ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Paula Winke-Martisek wranglerjack@comcast.net September 20, 2007, 12:11 am Author: GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD FRANK JACKSON, who is a successful building contractor of Joliet, was born in Ledsham, Yorkshire, England, October 1, 1852. His father, Thomas Jackson, a farmer, was a member of a family that had been prominent in the same locality for five hundred years, and, as far back as the record extends, the ancestors were farmers and bore the name of Thomas. Our subject's father was born at Brotherton, in 1828, and there married Jane Morritt, by whom he had seven children, three now living, viz.: Thomas, who holds a prominent government position in England; John and Frank, who are business partners. The maternal grandfather, Francis Morritt, who was a wealthy farmer, laid the first railroad-tie for the first railroad built in the world, his name being cut in the stone tie. This road was built from Stockton to Darlington. He was a son of Col. Francis Morritt, a giant in stature, seven feet and two inches tall, and an officer both in the Crimean war and the battle of Waterloo. At Kippiz and Ridsdale academies our subject obtained his education. When thirteen he was apprenticed to the building trade. After five years of work he became so proficient that his employer gave him charge of a crew of men, and he superintended the construction of important buildings in various parts of Europe. In this way he traveled extensively during the course of his business life in the old world. For seven years he served in the volunteer force under the Queen of England. The year 1878 found Mr. Jackson in America. Landing in Philadelphia, he went from there to Houtzdale, Pa. Four months later he arrived in Chicago, where he spent eighteen months, and during that time he drove the first nail ever put in the Pullman plant. From Chicago he went to Meridian, Miss., and for two years he worked in the south. Returning north he settled in Houtzdale, Pa., where he became a contractor. After two years he came to Braidwood, Ill., and there met W. H. Odell, who started him in business. He erected practically all of the buildings in the town. In 1885 he came to Joliet, where he at once took a high place as a contractor, and was given contracts for many prominent buildings. He had the contract for the building of the Keeley plant at Dwight, Ill., and has in his possession the only bust of Dr. Keeley owned by a private individual. In 1892 he retired from contracting and did not resume until July, 1899, when he formed a partnership with his brother, and since then the firm of Jackson Brothers has become one of the best-known in the city. December 24, 1887, Mr. Jackson married Miss Margaret Bale, who was born in England, and in childhood was brought to America by her parents, the family settling in Mahanoy City, Pa., in 1871, when she was two years old. In 1873 they moved to Houtzdale, Pa., and in 1882 came to Braidwood, Ill., remaining there until they settled in Joliet, in 1886. Six children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, but Clara J. is the only one now living. In politics Mr. Jackson has been an active Democrat. In 1892, 1893 and 1894 he served on the board of aldermen, during which time, in recognition of his faithful service, his constituents presented him with a gold star. He has been repeatedly urged to accept renomination for alderman, but always declines. Fraternally he is connected with the Sons of St. George; Paul Revere Lodge No. 371, K. of P.; Banner Lodge No. 391, I. O. O. F.; and has held all of the chairs in the local camp, Order of Foresters, which for two years he represented in the grand lodge. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/jackson1748nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 4.2 Kb