Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-10-28
Biography of ~. j.. Jackson.

Judge John Jay Jack son, eldest son Of
General John Jay Jackson, was born. at
Parkersburg, W. Va, August i, 1874;
graduated from Princeton College in IS45 I;
was law student under his father and
Hon. John J. Allen, president Of the SD
preme Court Of Virginia; was admitted to
the bar the following year and was elected
the first Prosecuting Attorney of Writ
county in 843. and the same year was
appointed to the same Office in Richie
county In 1889 and again in 1883 he
was elected to the Virginia legislature
from Wood county During this time h.
acquired high reputation As speaker
and debater. In 1882, So and 80 he was
elected on the Wing ticket. In the POI
| Itical campaign in which be took part he
was Justly distinguished as one 81 the
finest speakers on the hustings, and by
his efforts in the region OF the State ia
which he lived contributed largely to the
success Of the Bell and Everett ticket in
carrying Virginia in 1900 1t was stated
III the Richmond Wing Of that day, the
organ of the party in Virginia, that the
success of the ticket was largely due 10
him. In August 81 when the nation was
trembling in the balarce, President Lin
coin appointed HIN United States Judge
for the District Of w. Va, and although
at that time he had already attained noto-
riety he became generally known all over
the State as the newly appointed United
States Judge before whom many ques-
tons Of grave importance would come
for consideration and adjudication. 1t
was a trying hour, but the youthful jurist
met the issues squarely and faced the OPP
position TO the government with cour-
age that at all times bordered on herosm.
Judge Jackson is in many respects re-
markable man.
He has served on the bench of the Dis
trict Court continuously for over third
of a century and has probably disposed
of more cases than any other judge living
or dead. Possessing a strong physical
makeup, vigorous and an active dispo-
sition, he has stood the tremendous strain
on both mind and body that would have
swept the greater number of men off the
stage of action. He is now several years
past the age at which United State judges
may retire with pay, and yet he. is as
prompt in action, as vigorous IN mind and
as forceible in decision as when he enter
ed upon the duties of the position. The
| question is often asked why Judge Jack
son does not retire and take the rest that
most men would require The reason
which he is said TO assign are well con-
sidered. After an unbroken service of
| thirty-eight years on the bench, the duties
have become to him as commonplace as
second nature. Being too active by dis
position to retire from all kinds of employ
ment, he would not at his stage in life
essay to build up practice in law. He
| is credited with having said that he pre-
ferred to wear out in harness to rusting
in idleness." The retirement of Judge
Jackson from the bench would result in
little less than public disaster His long
experience and the perfect clockwork pre-
clslon with which the business of his court
is transacted, is familiar to every attor-
ney in the State What other lawyer
could bring to the bench of the United
States district court the same profound
liability and the peculiar tact for conduct
ing and facilitating the business of that
court2 While he is dignifed in his bear
ing, and at times may seem stern and
even austere, in his manner he is by ma
ture as kindhearted and sympathetic as he
is vigorous in intellect, acute in judgment
and profound in law.
Like all positive men, Judge Jackson is
strong and emphatic in his likes and dis
likes H quick perception enables him
to instantly detect deception in any form
and he is rarely deceived. He is bold,
outspoken and fearless and because of
these characteristics, those who differ
with him learn to admire and respect him.
and as jurist there are none more able.
He resides in stately mansion in Park
ersburg where he entertains his friends
with generous hospitality.-Chatai
West Virginia