Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



Richard Jackson

For many years Richard Jackson occupied a very conspicuous place among the leading business men of Richmond. He was prominently connected with the commercial and industrial interests of the city, and through the channels of trade contributed not alone to his individual prosperity, but to the welfare of Wayne county as well. His career was that of an honorable, enterprising and progressive business man, whose well-rounded character also enabled him to take an active interest in educational, social and moral affairs, and to keep well informed concerning the momentous questions affecting the welfare of the nation. In all life's relations he commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact, and the memory of his upright life is an inspiration to the many friends who knew him well and were familiar with his virtues.

Mr. Jackson was of Scotch-Irish lineage, ancestors emigrating from Scotland to the north of Ireland, whence our subject came to America. Andrew Jackson, president of the United States, and Judge Jackson, of the supreme court of West Virginia, were of the same family. Richard Jackson, the father of our subject, was a native of the Emerald Isle and spent his entire life in the vicinity of Belfast. He was a gentleman farmer and had a large landed estate, known as "The Parke," located in close proximity to the city. He was a man of wealth and prominence, and was also widely known throughout the country side as a magistrate.

Richard Jackson, who is the subject of this memoir, was born on his father's estate, April 11, 1827, and in 1841, being of an adventurous and enterprising spirit, left his native land at the early age of fourteen years and crossed the Atlantic to America, to seek his fortune in the New World, of whose privileges and advantages he had heard much. He spent several years in New York, where he was first employed as messenger and errand boy and afterward as salesman in a dry-goods establishment in New York and Brooklyn. Thus he obtained a thorough and practical knowledge of the business which he afterward prosecuted so successfully on his own behalf. This period of his life was one of hardship and privation, but he met his lot with courage and fortitude, and in his more prosperous days he referred to it as having been a useful discipline in forming the habits of industry, selfreliance and self-denial so essential to success in life.

In 1844 his family came from Ireland and took up their residence in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he soon afterward joined them. Before attaining his majority he was soon engaged in the dry-goods business on his own account in that city, and prosecuted his labors with great energy and success. Subsequently he removed to Indianapolis, where he carried on business for a time and thence came to Richmond in 1855. Here he founded the extensive dry-goods establishment known as the New York Cash Store, which was the first house conducted upon a strictly cash system in the city. It proved satisfactory, however, and by his unremitting attention to business, his frank and genial manner and honorable dealing, he commanded the respect and confidence of the entire community, which he continued to enjoy up to the time of his death. His efforts, however, were not confined to one line of trade, and he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. In 1876, in connection with others, he organized the piano company, now known as the Starr Piano Company, of Richmond, and was its secretary and treasurer at the time of his death. By his able management of finances he succeeded in placing it upon a substantial and paying basis, and making it one of the leading manufacturing interests of the city. He further improved the city by the erection of several large and important buildings, and at all times took an active interest in and gave encouragement to any movement or enterprise that contributed to the welfare of Richmond or Wayne county.

In September, 1851, in Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Knott, with whom he lived in the closest bonds of affection and sympathy up to the time of his death. They had three sons and two daughters, all of whom survive him. He was devotedly attached to his family, finding his greatest pleasure in their society, and the chief object of all his care and labor was to contribute to their comfort and happiness and to provide his children with good educational privileges, thus fitting them for lives and of usefulness. The children are: L. B., who is engaged in oil speculation in Pittsburg, where he is a member of the firm of L. B. Jackson & Company; Mrs. Joseph Ruffner, of Charleston, West Virginia; R. A., a prominent attorney of Richmond; Malcolm, an able and leading lawyer of Charleston, West Virginia; and Mrs. Abigail Needham, of Richmond.

In social circles Mr. Jackson was always most genial and companionable. With him friendship was inviolable, and his attachment to his friends was very strong. He delighted to extend to them the hospitality of his own fireside, and his home became the center of a cultured society circle. No one ever came in contact with him without catching somewhat of the inspiration of his kindly nature. His kindness of heart was shown not only by words of sympathy but by acts of unostentatious benevolence. In business circles he was noted and respected for his great industry, energy, punctuality and his honorable and systematic methods,—all of which contributed to a large success, which he richly deserved. Few men were more familiar with questions of national importance, and he manifested an intelligent and discriminating interest in public affairs. During his residence in Indianapolis he joined the Protestant Episcopal church, of which he continued to be a member until his death. He had a firm belief in the truths of revealed religion, and in consequence death had no terror for him. His reverence for age was a part of his religion. He never passed an aged acquaintance without lifting his hat in respectful recognition, and rejoiced at every opportunity thus afforded him of paying this deference. He was a man of splendid physique and vigorous constitution, and he enjoyed excellent health until near his death. His last days were spent in his beautiful home on Linden Hill, Richmond, and there he closed his eyes in death February 16, 1881. The entire community mourned his loss, for he was a man of incalculable worth to Richmond. A prominent representative of commercial interests, a popular factor in social life, a faithful friend, a kind husband and father and a consistent Christian, he left behind him an untarnished record. His widow still survives him, at the age of seventy-two, and occupies the old home on Linden Hill.

Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899