William S. Jackson

OBERLIN EYE 4 January 1906 page 1

 
"DIED  William S. Jackson, died at his home in Oberlin at noon Thursday December 28, after an illness of nearly four months.
The funeral, under the auspices of T. E. G. Ransome Post, G. A. R., was held at the Baptist church Friday afternoon.  Rev. F. H. Teall, assisted by Rev. D. O. Banta and Rev. Anderson Crain, conducted the service, in which an eloquent and deserved tribute was paid to the deceased.  Twenty-six old soldiers attended the funeral and laid their beloved comrade away in that windowless home whose turf clad curtains never outward swing.  The burial service was conducted according to the solemn signal service of the Grand Army and the old boys on whose heads have sifted the snows of the winter of life, were not ashamed to weep as they laid their friend away.  The high regard in which Mr. Jackson was held in the town was shown by the closing of all the stores during the funeral.
William Sare Jackson was born in New York June 1, 1836.  He was married to Miss Susanna Holsinger in Palmyra, Wisconsin, May 8, 1866.
Mr. Jackson enlisted in company I, 10th Iowa infantry and served honorably for four years and four months in the civil war. 
He and his family moved to Oberlin in the spring of 1880 and has lived here ever since.  He was one of the early mail carriers, taking mail and express between Oberlin and Indianoia, until the railroad was built to Oberlin and train service put on, since which time he has carried the mail to and from the Oberlin post-office, delivered express and run one or two delivery wagons.
"Uncle Billy" as we all lovingly called him, had not been in good health for twenty years, but was always alert, cheerful, jolly, generous, faithful and most dependable.  He was kind and loving and had not an enemy in the world.  (unreadable) sickness and trouble--and he had some heartbreaking trouble--he battled bravely, cheerily and (unreadable) unfaltering and unafraid.  He was a  loveable character -- and had a true Christian hope which burned pure and strong as he passed through the portals of Peace.
A large number of sorrowing friends attended "Uncle Billy's" funeral, and all things were with his dear dead body as he would have had them--for loving friends were there.  His name will have ever a place in the hearts of our people as one who loved his fellow men and tried to make this old world better for having lived in it.  God rest his soul.
The bereaved wife and children have the earnest sympathy of all Oberlin."
 
Submitted by: Karen Adams  krajda@aol.com