Coopersville Observer, May 7, 1937
Civil War Vet, Died Tuesday
John Jackson
John Jackson, 94 year old Civil War veteran and for 94 years a resident of Polkton Township, died Tuesday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lina Hutchins. Mr. Jackson had been in failing health for some time and lately had been confined to his bed. With his passing, there are left only two veterans of the Civil War—Charles Nichols and John M. Park.
Born, August 31, 1843, in Oswego County, New York, Mr. Jackson came with his parents to Coopersville in August, 1846, settling on a farm purchased from the government for 50 cents an acre. Those were pioneer days, for western Michigan was almost an unbroken forest, and there were few settlements. The family underwent all the hardships and privations endured by the early settlers, but let us recall some Mr. Jackson’s own words in telling of these days: "After cutting and clearing some of the timber with the aid of two or three settlers, and a saw, hammer and axe, a rough log horse was erected, into which my parents moved their scanty household goods before there were any floor, doors or windows. We lived this way for some time before my father was able to put in a rough floor, some doors, and two or three windows. Before winter set in father built a log stable for his ox team and one cow. The roof of this stable was covered with what was called ‘shakes.’ The shakes were nailed to straight ironwood poles and when properly put on made a fairly good roof.
After several years, a school was built on one corner of the Jackson farm and it was here that as a youth he learned the rudimental "three R’s."
At the age of 21, he enlisted in the 13th Michigan Battery, Light Artillery, and served for the remainder of the war. Upon returning to Coopersville after the war, he became a charter member of Chas. Randall Post No. 308, G. A. R. and in later years served as its commander. For a number of years he also served Ottawa County as a member of the Soldiers’ Relief Commission. Following the dissolution of Randall Post, Mr. Jackson became a member of Weatherwax Post in Grand Haven.
November 27, 1872, he was married to Miss Edna Trowbridge and the young couple began housekeeping on the Jackson farm 1 1/2 miles northeast of town where they lived until 1913 when they moved to the village. Mrs. Jackson passed away in October, 1914. A son, Arthur Oscar, died in infancy.
For many years Mr. Jackson was one of the outstanding farmers this community. He was also a frequent contributor to the columns of The Observer and several farm papers. He had traveled extensively and whenever he was in distant parts of the country, descriptive letters always found their way back to his home town paper. He also had written many articles on pioneer life in this part of the county. At the time of his death he was the oldest pioneer of Polkton Township.
Always taking an active part in affairs of his community, Mr. Jackson took an especial interest in fraternal circles. He was initiated in Ottawa lodge No. 122, F. and A. M. in 1896 and in 19094 he was elected Worshipful Master, holding the office for two years. He was also a member of Coopersville Chapter No. 132? O. E. S., had served as Worth Patron, and had been awarded a 25 year pin. He had also been a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge and of Coopersville Grange. Surviving besides the daughter, Mrs. Lina Hutchins, are two grandchildren, Mrs. Carl Ostenson and Carl Hutchins, both of Coopersville, and two great-grandchildren.
The body was removed to the Kammeraad Funeral Home and Wednesday morning taken to the residence where funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock and at 2:30 at the Methodist Church, Rev. H. R. Strong officiating. Services at the grave were in charge of the Masonic Lodge, and a firing squad from Raymond Rankin Post No. 308, American Legion was present to give the final salute to the dead.
In Mr. Jackson’s passing the community mourns not only a pioneer and veteran of the Civil War, but one who gave unstintingly toward the up building of his community. One by one the "boys in blue" are passing and they will live only to memory, but they have left behind them a heritage which we of these later years should hold in reverence.
