Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-15
A FEW YEARS MORE LIFE
JUDGE JACKSON'S WISH,
BUT WHEN HE FOUND THE END
WAS NEAR HE WAS NOT
AFRAID TO DIE.
AN HONEST UPRIGHT LIFE
ENDED WITH THANKS FOR THE
FRIENDS WHOSE KINDNESS
HE HAD KNOWN.


PARKERSBURG, w. Va, Feb. IA
Judge James Monroe Jackson died at
$50 this morning after an Illness OF
several weeks with grip, and compiled
tons resulting in pneumonia.
For several days his death had been
almost momentarily expected, but his
splendid constitution was such that
he rallied each time until last night.
Yesterday and last evening he was
thought to be much better, but during
the night he was taken worse, and
death resulted just at the dawn of
day.
For several years he had had the
grip each winter, and it had gradually
weakened him so that he was unable
to Withstand it's attack this time.
Throughout his long ana trying ILL
ness Judge Jacksons mind remained
at all times perfectly clear, and his
last words showed that he realized
fully his own condition.
He said: Il would like to live two
or three years more, but | cannot l
am not afraid of death. | have tried
to live an honest and upright life. l
thank my friends for their kindnesses
to me-
The funeral will occur on Saturday
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the
Trinity Episcopal church
Hon. James Monroe jackson.
The Jackson family is perhaps the
most noted in West Virginia. General
John Jay Jackson, the father of of the
subject of this sketch, was in his day
the most distinguished citizen the
county of Wood ever produced. His
elder brother, John Jay Jackson. for
more than third of a century a dis
tinguished judge of the United States
District Court; and his youngest broth
er, the late Jacob B. Jackson, an ey-
Governor of the commonwealth-say
nothing about the long line of rela-
tiyes, the most noted of whom was
"Stonewalr' Jackson, perhaps the
greatest general the South ever pro-
duced. For ability, integrity and force
OF chaacter the subject of this sketch
stands in the front rank of this noted
family.
James Monroe Jackson was born in
Parkersburg, December 8, 1926. He
had careful preparation for college,
and in early life entered Princeton Col
lege, from which he graduated
in his twentieth year. Like his father
and elder brother, he chose the pro-
fession of law, and after two years was
admitted to the bar in 1S47. By his
natural talents and constant applica-
ton he rose rapidly. IN May, 1856, he
was elected prosecuting attorney Of
Wood county, and was reelected. He
served as a member of the House or
Delegates of West Virginia in 1870,
took an active and leading part He
was reelected and served in the legis-
lative session of 1871, after the removal
of the State capital to Charleston. He
was a member of the convention that
sat at Charleston in 1872 and framed
the second constitution. In October,
1872, he was elected judge of the Fifth
Judicial Circuit for eight years, and
was reelected in 1880. His careful legal
training coupled with his strong COM
mon sense, fitted him for the Office,
and it was not long after his first cleo
ton until he made for himself the rep
utation of being among the very best
judges in the State, and accordingly
gave satisfaction to all with whom he
had official dealings.
( On many occasions he was urged to
become a candidate for Congress, and
in 1883 he was nominated by the Demo-
cratic party-with which he had
acted since the death of the
old Wing organization. The re-
suit in all four of the districts
was so close that it took the official
vote TO decide. Judge Jackson was
awarded the certificate of election.
/ Judge Jackson was a man of schol-
+ arly attachments, positive character,
/ fixed principles and strong convictions,
a sound lawyer, ready debater. thor
oughly versed in the history and poll
+ tics of the country, close student OF
! the provisions Of the constitution; all
/ of which, supplemented by large ex-
| perience with men and affairs. equip
| ped him for public position and power.
/ The judge was twice married. His
! first wife was Miss Helen 5. Seely, OF
! Trumbull county Ohio, whom he we'd
! ded October 8, 1851 She died in 1861
/ leaving four children, of whom three
/ survive In February. 1864, he again
4 Misc nov Iyipob