Bio: James Hardy Jackson, Bienville Parish La
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890
Submitted by: Gaytha Thompson



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JAMES HARDY JACKSON
(deceased)

 James Hardy Jackson (deceased).  In many aspects the life of Mr. Jackson was
an eventful one and fully demonstrated how much may be accomplished and
acquired under the most unfavorable circumstances.  He had long been connected
with the mercantile interests of Arcadia, and at the time of his death was one
of its leading merchants.  He was born in Feliciana, Grayson County, Ky.,
February 28, 1833, his three surviving brothers being: Dr. John (who is
married and a practicing physician of Columbia, Ky.), Dr. R. E. (who, besides
being a practicing physician of Natchitoches, La., is an extensive cotton
planter), and R. L. (who resides in Bienville Parish, La., a cotton planter).
The father of these children was also engaged in cotton planting, and he, as
well as their mother, is new deceased.  

James Hardy Jackson obtained his early schooling in Kentucky, and at the age
of twenty-one years he became a salesmen, at which time he possessed not a
dollar.  He, however, was a young man of a very energetic temperament,
and, being very persevering, he at last began to surmount the difficulties in
his way, and to gain a foothold on the ladder of success.  Upon the opening
of the war be enlisted in the Twelfth Louisiana Volunteer Infantry and was
assigned to the Army of Tennessee, wearing the gray with honer to himself,
his family and friends. During the war he was twice promoted for personal
bravery, once to the position of sergeant-major, then to adjutant. He served
throughout the war and was disbanded with his company at Bentonville, N.
C., immediately returning home. 

His marriage, which occurred en October 25, 1866, was to Miss Lucy Madden, a
native of Louisiana, and unto them five children have been born: Willie
Rutland (who died at the untimely age of fourteen years, was an intelligent
and promising lad, and is now sleeping his last sleep in Arcadia Cemetery),
Henrietta  (passed from life at the age of eleven years), Luella (died when
seven years of age), and Luda (who now resides with her mother in the old
homestead; she is an intelligent and accomplished young lady, and will
graduate from the Arcadia Female College in 1891, after which she will
continue her studies in some Eastern college).  The youngest member of the
family is Lessie Rush, now six years of age.  

Mr. Jackson was always a warm Democrat, but never neglected his business for
politics.  He was president of the police jury of Caldwell Parish, and was a
member of the I.0.0.F. at Columbia, La.  He was, as is his wife, an ardent
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and always assisted in
Sunday-school work.  

He departed this life January 16, 1889,  and is now resting beside his
children in Arcadia Cemetery, where a handsome monument marks his last resting
place, erected to his memory by his sorrowing widow.  His death was regarded
as a calamity to this region, for he had always been very public spirited and
had resided here for a number of years.  He possessed many of the cardinal
virtues, among which may be mentioned unswerving honesty, kindness of heart
and liberality.  He was a faithful and affectionate husband and father, and
his memory will long be held in grateful remembrance in social as well as
business circles.  She resides in a typical Southern home, and dispenses
hospitality with a liberal hand to her numerous friends in this section, her
house being always open to the unfortunate, also to whom she gives liberally
of her means.  She controls a large mercantile establishment in Arcadia and
has shown herself to be an intelligent business woman.