John George Jackson, the gentleman to whom these lines are devoted, is the genial and popular proprietor of the fine tonsorial parlor at No. 43 Pearl street, Grand Rapids—an establishment which, in the elegance of its appointments and artistic character of work done, is second to no other of the kind in the city. Mr. Jackson has had a varied life, and unlike the majority has made every experience redound to his interest. He was born in Ontario, Canada, May 17,1861, and a son of Thomas and Mary (Davidson) Jackson. The father was a railroad contractor in both Canada and the United States, and a man of good intellect and generous impulses, and financially successful in all his undertakings. He died in August, 1861. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1895. They reared a family of four children, whose names are as follows: Hannah, Mary, George, and John G., of whom all are living but George.

John G. Jackson was brought by his parents to Dansville, Ingham county, Mich., when three months old, and there he lived the greater part of the time until his eighteen year, attending meanwhile the public schools and working as occasions permitted at the barber trade. When by twelve years he began barbering, soon displaying decided ability as an operator, and was trusted with a chair when so small that a box was necessary upon which to stand in order to bring on the level with the customers. He received the greater part of his practical instruction in the town of Roscommon, Mich., where he first began the trade in 1873, and one year later located at Pinconning, where he remained about nine months. Some time thereafter Mr. Jackson purchased a farm in the county of Otsego. For one year he tried his hand at agricultural pursuits, when he let go of the plow and again resumed barbering, locating at the town of Gaylord, where he continued for a period of three years, removing at the end of that time to Manchester, where he carried on a shop with much more than ordinary success for two years.

Mr. Jackson’s next move was to Grand Rapids, where he located in 1886. He operated his first parlors in this city until 1887, at which time he established himself in his present quarters on Pearl street, where he is now the proprietor of the finest and most convenient parlor in the city. He has spared no pains or expense on his establishment, and employs only the most skilled workmen, nine of whom are constantly employed in order to wait upon the numerous customers who daily visit the place. There is connected with the parlor elegantly appointed bath rooms, seven in number, and the establishment through

out is furnished with the latest and most convenient modern appliances. The success with which Mr. Jackson has met is well deserved, and the extensive patronage of his parlors is a credit not only to the skill displayed in the line of work there done, but to his genial nature and popular standing among the people as well.

Mr. Jackson is married and has a family of two children, Pearl and Florence. His wife, to whom he was united December 25, 1882, was Miss Cordie M. Berch, a native of the town of Brighton, Mich., where her birth occurred on the 15^th day of May, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have a beautiful home at No. 365 Broadway, which they own, and are there surrounded by many of the conveniences and luxuries of life. In addition to his home, Mr. Jackson owns other valuable real estate in various parts of the city and state.

In addition to his regular calling Mr. Jackson is much interested in the culture of fruits and vegetables, and he has also been identified with the drug trade and several other lines of business since locating in Grand Rapids. He is a member of Valley City lodge, F. & A. M., of Grand Rapids—also belongs to the I. O. O. F., Royal Arcanum and Maccabees fraternities. In politics he is a republican.