Person Page - 507

Thomas Langdale Jackson (1849-1925) was born in Dearborn County., Indiana, August 26, 1849, and passed from this life, June 1, 1925. At the age of 21 years, December 25, 1870, he was married to Mary Ellen Fagley (b.1870) of the same county and state, who survives him.

Three sons resulted from this union: Erastus Harley, died with cholera, age one year in 1874; Carl Reuben 1876-1884 died with tonsillitis OR diptheria and was sick only five days when eight years old; and Ralph M. born 1880 remains to comfort the bereaved wife and mother.

This father was a man of strong home ties, and his happiest moments were in his home with his immediate family. To those who knew him best, his life was a beautiful example of the doctrine “doing unto others as you wish to be done by.” He loved with the deepest affection and emotions and to those whom he loved and who loved him best, an esteemed and amicable friend will be missed.

He was a builder by profession and was proficient in most of the arts pertaining to the carpenters and builders profession, and many examples of his work now stand in this vicinity and elsewhere. Probably the most remarkable and interesting of his works was in his last home at Glendora, CA. which he made almost in its entirety with his own hands. Beginning with vacant lots, and after he was seventy-two years of age, being then in failing health, he not only built one home there complete, including adornments, but he built two, side by side which now stand as monuments to his enterprise and handicraft.

His life was filled with creditable service, most of the time busy making or doing something and as a fitting conclusion, may it not be said, "Well done, good and faithful servant?" and although his dearest friends are and will be grief stricken in his absence, there should be some consolation in this belief that his soul is peacefully at rest and that his broken body no longer suffers.

Mr. Jackson was born in Miller Township, being the son of Ruben Christopher Jackson (1810-1887) and Isabelle Langdale Jackson (1816-?). He left Dearborn County and went west to California abt 1889 where he has since resided. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Fagley Jackson and son, Ralph M. Jackson (b.1880), one brother John Harrison Jackson (b.1854) of Miller Township and one sister, Mrs. Ruth Jackson Smith (b.1859) of Sheldon, IL.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM CARL HARLEY MANKIN - (Carl Harley Mankin correspondence dated January 24, 2000 - Merrie Rue Smith)

Carl's Mother (Helen Jackson) and grandmother (Clara Bertha Luehm Jackson) wrote in their copy of Alta Mae Jackson's genealogy the following:

Attached to obituary - ...and one granddaughter, Helen Marie Jackson.

Also, the following:

Thomas and Mary Ellen Jackson began their married life 1870 in the log house on Leapers Creek just west of the Reuben Jackson home later called "The Valley Hill Farm." Tommy and his wife lived there only a few years because a younger brother, Ralph and Katharine Jackson were married in 1877 and set up housekeeping in the same log house. The big stone chimney, pantry and well were still there when we were kids, but all was wiped out by the big Texas Pipe Lines when they went thru Dad's farm the second time in 1964.²

Died in Jacksonville, Ill., on Saturday, the 4th inst., of Cholera Infantum, Erastus, only child of Thomas Jackson, formerly of Miller township. Aged about 1 year. His remains were brought home to his grandfathers, Mr. Reuben C. Jackson, on Monday last, where appropriate funeral services were conducted by Rev. Benj. Plummer, after which the remains were taken to the old George Town burying grounds for interment. This bereavement falls heavily upon the parents and friends, it being so sudden and unexpected. They have the sympathy of the entire community.¹