JACKSON, Ebenezer
EBENEZER JACKSON
Source: Greencastle Star, Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana 10 January 1880 p 5
On last Friday, about midnight, Mr. Ebenezer Jackson, a prominent resident of Greencastle, died of erysipelas, after an illness of just one week. The news of the sad event cast a veil of bloom over the entire city and the expression of regret for the loss and sympathy for the bereaved family was universal. The remains were interred at Forest Hill Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, there being a large attendance at the funeral – from Brazil came a special train to convey the friends of the deceased to this city that they might show their respect by attending these last sad rites and hundreds more would have come after that city could transportation have been secured. Rev. GG Mitchell and Dr. Joyce conducted the funeral services.
Deceased was President of the Jackson Coal Mining Company and controlled large coal interests in Clay County. At the time of his death he carried a $3,000 policy in the Northwestern Mutual Insurance company. His loss is a sad and irreparable one to his family, while the city mourns the loss of a public spirited, energetic and enterprising citizen, for whose sterling worth and integrity all who knew him could vouch. We herewith present a short biographical sketch of the deceased, kindly furnished by Rev. GG Mitchell. E. Jackson, lately deceased was born June 10, 1823 in the township of Coatsville, Mahoning County Ohio. His father and mother were of Irish descent, emigration from Washington County PA to Ohio when that portion of the state was almost a wilderness.
The early life of the subject of this sketch was passed aiding his parents in making efforts to improve their locality. His advantages for receiving an education were meager. Still the energy displayed in after life was apparent, in obtaining such an education that he was enabled to aid his parents as well as himself by teaching school which vocation he followed several years, principally during the winter season. He afterwards engaged successfully in merchandizing for several years, part of the time in connection with one or two of his brothers. He also engaged quite extensively in the purchase and sale of stock, and finally became interested in developing the rich block coal fields of his native locality. He opened and operated in company with his brother Joseph the first block coal mine ever opened and worked near the town of Hubbard, Ohio. Having experienced all the difficulties and hardships of pioneering mining and having been quite successful, his attention was directed to the coal interest of Indiana, situated in Clay County about the year 1865.
He drilled and tested for coal in several localities in that now famous district, until finally from 1872 to the date of this writing, he became possessed of and was successfully working one of the largest coal basins in the district, employing some 300 men. In all his operations as an employer the stamp of strict integrity was attached. Among other operators and dealers he was always respected and honored. He was raised and educated a Presbyterian, having been baptized in that church; and although never having become a member of the church, still, he always cherished great respect and admiration for all Christian influences, being over liberal in contributing to their support. For his parents, family and friends he always displayed unusual attachment never failing to embrace every opportunity to aid or assist them. His was a most busy and energetic life, never ceasing ever to the last -dying fully in the harness.