Alfred M. Jackson.—A publication of this nature exercises its most important function when it takes cognizance of the life and labors of those citizens who have risen to prominence and prosperity through their own well directed efforts and who have been of material value in furthering the advancement and development of the commonwealth. Judge Jackson is best known to the citizens of Cowley county and the State of Kansas at large as a distinguished member of the bar, to which he was admitted in 1880. Except for a period of four years (1893-96), during which time he occupied the bench of the Thirteenth judicial district, he has continuously practiced his profession and in his practice he has gained such prestige and success as should fill, in a great measure, the fullness of his ambition. As a Democrat he was honored, in 1900, by election to Congress from the Third Kansas district.

Alfred M. Jackson is a native of Kentucky, born in South Carrollton, Muhlenberg county, July 14, 1860, the son of Dr. Alfred M. Jackson, a member of the well known Jackson family of Virginia, a successful physician of his day and a man prominently identified with the political and social life of Kentucky. He was a member of the constitutional convention of that state in 1849, and an active and potential factor in the Union Democratic party during the Civil war. He died in 1865. When a young man he married Miss Martha Fentress, daughter of John Fentress, a native of Virginia, and a farmer who became a pioneer settler of Kentucky, locating in Muhlenberg county in 1800. The city of South Carrollton is located on a portion of his farm. Judge Jackson secured his early educational discipline in the public schools of his native county, then matriculated in the West Kentucky College at South Carrollton, where he completed the prescribed literary course, graduating with the class of 1878. The succeeding school year he spent in teaching in Daviess county and in the spring of 1879 entered the law office of Judge Charles Eaves of Greenville, where he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1880. The following year he came to Kansas, located for practice in Howard, Elk county, and remained a resident of that county until January, 1897, when he removed to the city of Winfield, his present residence. The firm of Jackson & Noble, formed in 1901, of which he is the senior member, is one of the most prominent and influential in the state and includes among its clients a number of the most important financial and industrial corporations in southern Kansas. During his practice, which has covered a span of more than thirty years, Judge Jackson has appeared in connection with the most important litigations in both the state and Federal courts. He was retained as special counsel by the city of Winfield in the famous waterworks fight and succeeded in winning for the city each point in the controversy. He appeared as counsel for the defense in the case of the State of Kansas vs. Coffett and Miller, one of the most important murder trials in the history of Kansas practice and succeeded in securing the acquittal of his clients. He is especially fortified in his wide and comprehensive knowledge of the science of jurisprudence, a man of strong character and powerful individuality, an orator of no mean power, and in argument logical and convincing. His political allegiance has been given to the Democratic party and of his party and its policies he has ever been a consistent and active supporter. He was elected county attorney of Elk county in 1890; was elected judge of the Thirteenth judicial district in 1892 and served one term; was made chairman of the Democratic state convention in 1896, and was elected to Congress from the Third Kansas district in 1900 and served one term. In his public service he received the commendation of the thinking public, has achieved honor and distinction and his course has been marked by honesty, courage and fidelity. His practical activities have not been confined to the practice of law, however, as he has been an active factor in the development of various financial and mercantile enterprises in south Kansas.

On July 19, 1898, Judge Jackson was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Robie, the daughter of the late Hon. Jonathan Robie of Bath, N. Y., a successful merchant of that city, founder of the Bath (N. Y.) Soldiers' Home and a member of its board of control until his death. His father, Hon. R. E. Robie, served several terms as a member of Congress from New York. Mrs. Jackson is a woman of culture and refinement and the family residence is known for the gracious hospitality extended to a large circle of friends. She is popular in the best social circles of Winfield, in which she is a leader.

Judge Jackson has attained the Knight Templar and Scottish Rite degrees in Masonry, is affiliated with Midian Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Wichita, and is a member of Winfield Lodge, No. 732, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he has served three terms as exalted ruler.