Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Nicholas S. Jackson

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Nicholas S. Jackson, merchant, was born in Benton County, Ark., March 
14, 1845, son of James and Rebecca (Williams) Jackson. James Jackson 
was born in North Carolina in 1804, received a good common-school 
education, and after arriving at mature years immigrated with his 
father to Tennessec, making the journey to that State in wagons. The 
country was wild and unsettled, and our sturdy adventurers suffered 
many of the privations incident to those early days in an unsettled 
country. Rebecca Jackson, the mother, was also a native of North 
Carolina, and removed to Tennessee when but a young woman. She was 
afterward married to Mr. Jackson, and bore him fifteen children, six 
now living: Albert, Dawson, Andrew, Mrs. Laura Curtis, Nicholas and 
Mrs. Virginia Ludley. The children deceased were named Mary, Zachariah 
T., Mrs. Elizabeth, Gailbreath, James Mc., Acenith, Conway, Richardson 
and an infant unnamed. Mr. Jackson followed farming in Tennessee, and 
afterward emigrated to Benton County, Ark., and was among the first 
settlers of this county. He was here before the State was admitted 
into the Union, and when there were a few cabins where Springfield now 
stands. He was obliged to go forty miles to mill, and all his trading 
was done at Van Buren and Fort Smith, where he went twice a year. The 
people of Benton County showed their appreciation of him, after the 
county had been made, by electing him to represent them at Little Rock 
as a member of the House of Representatives. He selected the site of 
his grave, and died on the old homestead. His wife is now living, and 
is eighty-two years of age. She is strong and vigorous, does her own 
house-work, and is able to ride horseback. Their son, Nicholas S., was 
born on the farm where the father spent the greater part of his life, 
and passed his days, like most children, in the school-room. At a time 
when his mind should have been almost entirely taken up with his 
studies the war broke out, and his books were thrown aside. On account 
of his strong Southern convictions, Mr. Jackson was driven from home, 
and afterward enlisted in the Confederate service, being engaged in 
active duty for one year. He enlisted in Company A, Col. Adair's 
regiment, Cherokee brigade, and during this time of service was in a 
number of engagements; Fort Smith, Blackburn, Prairie, crossing the 
Arkansas river on rafts, swimming the horses and charging a fortified 
troop of negroes, and capturing a number, and Fayetteville being the 
most important fights, but was in numerous skirmishes. He surrendered 
at Fayetteville. Mr. Jackson returned home after the war only to find 
the magnificent property in ruins; houses, fences, etc., being 
destroyed. Mr. Jackson went to work to repair and rebuild, hauling 
apples to Texas to buy their meat and bread the first year. He 
continued to live on the home farm, and was there married to Miss 
Martha ---, a native of Washington County, Ark., and the daughter of 
Hugh --. This union resulted in the birth of ten children, eight now 
living: Leanora, James H., Arthur, Arkie. Maud. Chester, George and 
Frank. Those deceased were named Ida and Conway. After marriage Mr. 
Jackson began farming for himself on the farm given him by his father, 
and there he continued to live until 1883, when he sold out and went 
to Bentonville. He there dealt in stock, and was also engaged in 
shipping grain. He then purchased and operated the mill at 
Bentonville, being engaged in that business for only a short time. He 
then engaged in the clothing business, but [p.853] soon sold out and 
engaged in the general commission business. This he followed until 
coming to Maysville, where he formed a partnership with W. D. Dudmon, 
and again ventured into the general mercantile business. Since that 
time he has bought out his partner's interest, and now conducts the 
largest and most extensive establishment in Maysville. Mr. Jackson is 
a stanch Democrat in polities, never having voted any other ticket; is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and Mrs. Jackson are 
members of the Missionary Baptist Church.