Thos. Jackson, an early day settler in Comanche-co. and for about 34 years one of our well known citizens, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. T. J. Foree, near Calico Rock, Ark., on Friday, May 13, 1921. At the time of his death he lacked but 18 days of being 78 years of age. Up to about five months ago he had been in quite good health for one of his advanced years. His health began to fail in December last, and from that time his vitality gradually declined. Heart weakness was the immediate cause of his death. The body was brought to Wilmore on Sunday and laid to rest in the Wilmore cemetery on Monday forenoon. It was in accordance with Mr. Jackson's request that burial was made here. The funeral services were held in Wilmore and were in charge of Rev. A. Frank Johnson, pastor of the Presbyterian church in this city. A large number of the former neighbors of the deceased were present at the funeral to pay their respects to their departed friend and neighbor. The Masonic lodge of Wilmore, of which Mr. Jackson was a charter member, assisted in the funeral services.Deceased was a native of Scotland. At the age of 23, or in the year 1886, young Jackson made up his mind to come to America. He settled in Barton, Md. On October 4, 1870 in that state he was united in marriage with Miss Marion MacDonald. To this union three daughters were born. The wife and infant daughter died in Maryland many years ago. The surviving daughters are Mrs. Nannie T. Foree of Calico Rock, Ark., and Mrs. Margaret C. Willard of Port Clinton, Ohio. Both were present at the time of their father's death. One twin brother, James Jackson, now of Ottawa, Kans., and a former citizen of this county, also 12 grandchildren, survive.
Mr. Jackson was, in every respect a good citizen, possessing as he did that sturdy, upright character for which the Scotch are noted. As a neighbor and friend he was always loyal to every obligation, and as a husband and father he was devoted and kind. He came to this county from Maryland in the year 1884, when the county was just beginning to be settled, and located on a claim nine miles east of Coldwater and 4 1/2 miles southeast of Wilmore. There he continued to live until November, 1918, when he and his son-in-law, Thos. J. Foree, and family, with whom he had made his home for a number of years, moved to Arkansas. James Jackson, brother of the deceased, arrived in America from Scotland about the year 1868, and he also settled in this county in an early day and made his home here until his removal to Wichita, and later to Ottawa, several years ago.
In the death of "Uncle Tommy" Jackson, this county loses another of its pioneer settlers and one who for many years was one of our best citizens. Thus, one by one, the "Old Guard" are passing away. Soon they will all be gone. All honor to them for the lives they lived and the good influences they leave behind them. Mr. Jackson had been a member of the Presbyterian church since his youth, and had always lived a consistent Christian life. He had been a member of the Masonic lodge for many years and for several years had been a 32d degree Mason and Shriner.
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