HON. JAMES S. JACKSON, whose service |f)j) and official position in the Union army won for him the title of Captain, by which he is familiary known, is a member of an old Virginian family. His grandfather, John Jackson, was born in the Old Dominion, but removed thence to Kentucky, where William, the father of our subject, was born April 6, 1798. The latter enlisted in the War of 1812 and was severely injured while in the service, his thigh being broken. He married Sarah Mayhall, who was born in Kentucky about 1810, being a daughter of Timothy Mayhall, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and served under General Harrison in the Army of the Northwest.
After his marriage William Jackson continued to reside in Kentucky until 1850, when he moved to Salem. Previous to coming hither he was bereaved by the death of his wife, who passed away October 20, 1844. He was three times married, and was the father of sixteen children, two of whom were born of his first union (both deceased), seven by his second wife (four surviving), and seven by his third marriage.
Of the second marriage the surviving children are,
The mother of these children was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and sincere Christian woman. Politically the fathc was a Republican.
Two of the sons served in the Civil War, our subject and Edward J., who were officers in the same company.
In Franklin County, Ky., James S. Jackson was born September 15, 1831. He received his schooling in the home locality and learned the trade of a blacksmith in Louisville. In 1851 he came to Salem and worked at his trade until the outbreak of the Rebellion.
He raised a company of men here and at luka and of this he was elected Captain, it being known as Company G, Twentysecond Illinois Infantry. The regiment was organized at Belleville, marched to St. Louis, from there to Bird's Point, and participated in the following battles: Belmont, Ft. Pillow, Corinth, Stone River and Chickamauga. In the engagement last named he was acting Major of the regiment, and the enemy falling upon them from the rear, separated him and thirty of his comrades from the other Union soldiers and they thus fell into the hands of the Confederates.
Under the charge of Captain Baber. of Company A, Fifth Texas Regiment, Longstreet's Corps, our subject was taken to the rebel camp at Atlanta and from there to Libby Prison. He remained in that place from September 19, 1863, until March 1, 1865, and suffered greatly during the entire period, being afflicted with rheumatism and also having the yellow fever. At the time the prisoners tried to dig out he was sick and barefooted and consequently could not accompany them in their desperate attempt to gain freedom.
In the Chickamaugua room at Libby Prison may be found today a plate containing his name, rank, regiment, etc., placed upon the plank where he slept while in prison. At the time of his release he was sent to Annapolis, Md., and there was honorably discharged March 12, 1865, His sufferings had permanently impaired his strength and vigor, and upon coming home he was reduced to one hundred and forty pounds' weight. He now weighs two hundred and fifty pounds, but for the last eighteen years has been paralyzed so that he requires the constant attendance of a man, and since 1879 has been obliged to use a wheeled chair.
Upon returning home the Captain was elected County Clerk and served for one term, after which he engaged in the practice of law. In 1872 he was chosen State's Attorney and filled that position for one term. March 4, 1873, he was stricken with paralysis, but served the remainder of his term as State's Attorney.
He was elected to the State Legislature, and represented his district in that body during the session of 1878-79, his family in the meantime occupying a room in the state house. His daughter was the first girl ever appointed page in Illinois, and was introduced to President Hayes by Governor Cullom as his little pet. During the speech of the President she sat upon the knee of General Sherman.
May 13, 1869, the Captain married Millie Green, a native of Greene County, Ohio, and a daughter of Dr. D. K. and Zerelda (Winans) Green, who were born in the Buckeye State. Her father was the son of Dr. J. N. Green, while her mother was a daughter of Dr. John M. Winans, who was a minister as well as a physician. Two sons and two sons-in-law were also doctors. The parents of Mrs. Jackson moved to Illinois in 1854 and settled at Salem during the following year, where Dr. Green practiced medicine and conducted a large drug business. He died in October, 1881; his wife still survives.
They had six children, of whom these survive:
Mrs. Green was a member of the Christian Church. Her father, Dr. Wiuans, was an Abolitionist prior to the war and was ranked as Major; he was captured by Forrest and soon exchanged. In 1862 he was elected State Senator, also served as Mayor of Salem and as a member of the State Medical Board during the war.
Mrs. Jackson was born July 13, 1850, and received her education in the schools of Salem. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her union has resulted in the birth of two daughters, of whom the only one now living is Ella M., wife of Thomas S. Marshall. The Captain is identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 395 - 396
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer