History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, 1887



Jackson Family - ANTHONY RICH JACKSON Biography

Anthony R. Jackson, one of the members of the Lycoming County Bar of Pennsylvania, and one who enjoys the esteem and confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact, was born in South Williamsport, July 1, 1872. The pioneer ancestor of the family was Lemuel Jackson, a native of England, who settled in the state of Maine about the year 1750. He was the father of seven children, namely : Sarah, Lemuel, John, Godfrey, Ira and Nicolas. Lemuel, his eldest son, moved from Welch, Maine, to Ohio, in the early part of 1820 and entered lands in what is now known as Polk township, Crawford county, Ohio. He was a member of the old school Baptist church and was known over the country as one of their strongest members, and his influence was greatly felt in that church. He was united in marriage to Mindwell Ward, and the issue of this union was nine children : Betsey, Silvia, Lemuel, Abner, John, Enoch, Pharez, Joshua Mindwell and Anna. Enoch, his third son, was a native of Maine and married Rhoda Lewis, daughter of John Lewis, one of the first settlers of Knox county, Ohio, and mentioned in Howe's history of Ohio, and their children were as follows Pharez, Ambrose, Mitchel, Appleton R., Hannah, Jane, Rhoda, Mary and Ruth. Appleton R., his fourth son, was the father of Anthony R. Jackson, the subject of this article.

Appleton R. Jackson, his father, was born in Polk township, Crawford county, Ohio, November 4, 1838. After completing a common school education he served an apprenticeship at the trade of saw-filing, at which he was employed until 1865. He then turned his attention to the oil business on Pioneer run, a tributary of Oil creek, Venango county, Pennsylvania, where he drilled several wells and was a partner in the well known Andrews well on Western run. Upon his return to Williamsport he again engaged at his trade, continuing until 1872, in which year he purchased real estate on the opposite side of the river, to which he removed and there continued to prosecute his trade until 1885. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits and also devoted considerable time to real estate transactions, and being a man of excellent business ability his affairs were managed with tact, promptness and discretion. He was a Democrat in politics; and held the office of councilman. In 1859 Appleton R. Jackson was married to Mary E. Heller, daughter of Reuben and Julia Ann (Hand) Heller, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the latter named having been a native of Northampton county and a descendant of a Scotch-English ancestry. Five children were the issue of this union, namely : Orville E., Walter E., John S., Anthony R., and Charles R. C. Jackson. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church of South Williamsport.

Anthony R. Jackson was educated in the public schools of South Williamsport, Dickinson Seminary and College, Williamsport, and the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio. He studied law in the office of W. C. Gilmore at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and after passing a successful examination was admitted to the Lycoming county bar in January, 1896. Since then he has practiced his profession, has won an enviable reputation and secured a liberal patronage. He is a Republican in politics, and as a citizen is public-spirited and progressive, contributing liberally toward the upbuilding and development of the community in which he resides. He is a member of the Third Presbyterian church of Williamsport. He holds membership in Ivy Lodge No. 397, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Scottish Rite Masonic bodies of Williamsport; Amazon Lodge No. 662, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Williamsport, of which he was secretary for one year; West Branch Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Williamsport; West Branch Lodge No. 98, Knights of Pythias, of which he is now vice chancellor; and Williamsport Lodge No. 173, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On March 3, 1903, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Anthony R. Jackson was married to Josephine Mudge, a daughter of Hiram and Fanny Mudge, and a graduate of Wellesley College. They are the parents of one child, Josephine Mudge Jackson, born August 27, 1904. Hiram Mudge, father of Mrs. Jackson, in company with Abraham Updegraft, organized the First National Bank of Williamsport, of which he was cashier for eight years. He was vice-president of the City National Bank for four years, and subsequently was teller of the Lumberman's National Bank and secretary of the Susquehanna Trust and Safe Deposit Company. Mr. Mudge served as burgess of Williamsport, and for three years served in the capacity of city treasurer. He was one of the organizers of the Third Presbyterian church of Williamsport, and for many years an official member thereof. In 1852 Mr. Mudge was united in marriage to Fanny Smith. Silas Mudge, father of Hiram Mudge, was a native of Connecticut and served in the war of 1812.


Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Lycoming County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1906.










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