The San Francisco call., 1896-12-31
]. ROSS JACKSON'S
DAYS ARE ENDED
His Life Ebbs Away
After a Heroic
Operation.
Career of a Man Respected and
Loved by All Who Knew
Him.
Funeral Services Will Take Place
at the Press Club Among His
Old Friends.

|
J. Ross Jackson died at the Waldeck
sanitarium at $50 P. NJ. yesterday. He
had undergone an operation two days pre-
viously for the removal of cancer and
the ordeal FASTENED his death. The end,
| however, was not far off, for the nature OF
the malady forbade hope and his physi-
clans adopted heroic measure with the
chances all against them. He held up
| bravely after the operation and indeed inn
| proved little Tuesday.
| This false change was the result mole OF
Mr.. Jackson's strong mentality coupled
with sense OF confidence in the surgeons
work, which inspired him to entertain a
view of still more years of happiness with
family and dear old friends. But the
struggle proved too much for his vitality
and he began to fail yesterday. Almost
until the last he was conscious, even while
the vital forces were ebbing away like th e
Pickering of a taper. and so death came
full of peace to this good man.
For nearly year Ross Jackson, as he
was tamiliarIy known by hosts of friends
in Bohemia and out of it. complained of
i'll health. His physician placed him
it is believed that the fatal disease then
began it's ravages. "The doctor saws 1
must not indulge" Mr.. Jackson said to
some friends when the trouble began.
"But I'm considering that matter,
whether the game is worth the candle.
What's the use OF living if you can't en-
Joy Il with your friends?" Always tenn
perate in his life, this little remark was
taken as an iIlustra ton of the mans fine
character, his geniaiity aud warmth.
About that time he experienced serious
trouble with his eyes and had an opera
tion reformed on one of them at his resi-
dence, the st. Nicholas Hotel. He went
to Sausalito for rest, which i'm proved his
condition, but even then the family physi-
clan entertained little hopes of long
life for his patient.
subsequently Mr.. Jackson rallied and
was about as usual as if nothing allied
him. He was a member of the Grand
Jury that went out of office week or two
ago and attended to duties in that body
He visited his favorite resort, the Press
Club, and only recently dropped out of
sight. Then his friends learned with deep
regret that Mr. jackson had not long to
live.
He realized that he was on the verge of
collapse for several days, and on Sunday
dlIeTuOOH, On the dCVlCe OF pDySlCiduS,
moved to the Wa!deck Hotel. Mrs. jack
son, his faithful nurse, remained by his
side. Her wish was to try the one heroic
remedy, which failed in spite of the best
surgical skill attainable.
]. Ross Jackson was a general favorite.
To know him was but 10 love him, and
that tells the whole story of the mans
life. His was remarkable character;
generous to fault, loyal 10 friends and
ever ready to see only the best side in
others, and in home lite devoted father
and husband.
He was born in Paterson, n. j., Febru-
ary 6, 1916. His father was James Jack
son, locomotive builder, who built the
first locomotive that came to the Pacific
Coast and amassed fortune in this busi-
ness. James Jackson organized the Bank
of Passaic County, which merged in.o the
Second National Bank still flourishing
institution. After college days young
Ross filled the position of paying teller in
The bank and his brother James is now its
president. Resigning the office Ross
moved 10 California and took up his resi-
dence in this City, which was always his
home with the exception of few months
in summer spent in the country. He left
New Jersey April l, 1879.
In 1872 he married Miss Amelia v alden
of Paterson, with whom he lived happily
till the end. Two daughters were born,
one of whom was a popular belle in local
society and is now the wife of Mr.. John
died some years ago. He leaves two sis
tiers, Mrs. Caroline Whitley and Miss Kate
Jackson, both of whom live at Evanston.
Ill., also a brother, James Jackson, in
Paterson, N. ].
After settling in San Francisco Mr.
Jackson tried his hand at commercial
work in the asbestos business, but he was
dod for ctyp mn Il
patton and accordingly met with poor
success.
He took the world easy, having nice
income, until in 1880 he entered the news
paper iield, and quickly attained promi-
nence in his chosen profession. Every
newspaper writer in the City declares that
he was their dean. 1t was he who brought
out such wel-known writer's as Ed Town
send, Andy Morrison, Harry Dam, T. T.
Williams and others who have long since
passed away-Joseph Chit, William Hart
and Harry Standewick. He was city
editor of the Alta, then associated himself
with the Chronicle and later with the Ex-
aminer, OF which ,,ie was city editor.
An affection of The eyes mpelled him
to retire from journalism twice, when he
filled q position il the County Clerks
office and was License Collector. In
newspaper work he proved himself a dis
tinctly broad-gauge and able man, and, it
goes witt out saying, won the respect and
love OF his colleagues without exception.
Mr.. Jackson was veteran of the Civil
War, and at one time member OF Thomas
Post. G. A. r. He was president OF the
old Press Club. or-anized in 1882, sue
ceeding Hugh Burke and giving way a
year later to Ed Townsend. When the
present Press Club was organized he joined
as a charter member. Often he was the
lite OF it at iinks as SIRE lad when occa-
sion called for his advice he proved loyal
member. The Olympic and Bohemian
clubs also claimed him as one of their own.
Upon retiring from active newspaper
life about four years ago he fell heir to
large fortune from his fathers estate.
These years were spent with his family in
taking the best out of life, with his bosom
friends, James v. Coleman and some
mem bers of the Press Club.
A few days before Mr.. Jackson died he
called in ex.Judge W. P. Lawlor to make
his will. 1t is understood that his estate
goes to his family. In the will is pro-
vision expressing a wish that as he was
not religious he would be consistent, and,
therefore, desired that no minister preach
at his funeral
He asked that the obsequies be held in
the Press Club, and that either Judge
Hunt or L. 7. Williams, his old friends,