Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1915-04-05
.EX-CONGRESSMAN
". H. JACKSON DEAD
Wealthy Eastern Shoreman
Died at His Home in
Salisbury, Md.
ILL FOR A LONG TIME
Had Successful Business and
an Interesting Political
Career.
ILL FOR A LONG TIME

Salisbury, Md, April 5.-William Hum
phries Jackson, former Congressman, died
Saturday afternoon at his home IN Sails
bury, after long illness. He was 75 years
old.
II is said by some who knew Mr.. Jack
son that some years ago he was probably
the richest man in the state, but it has
been reported that in late years he has
distributed a good deal Of his money,
much Of IL going to his son, former
United States Senator William p. jack
son.
The former Congressman was Of
family that has loomed large in the his
tory Of Maryland for the better part Of
the last half century. He was brother
Of the late Governor Elihu e. jackson,
whose business partner he was for many
years.
ROSE TO FORTUNE.
From modest circumstances the Jack
sons rose to rank among the most sue
cessful business men in the State, men
Of millions and prominent in public
affairs. There were five brothers born on
the farm of their father, Hugh jackson,
six miles from Salisbury, which had been
the home of their geat-pandfather,
Elihu Jackson. They were William H.,
Eihu E., Isaac N, Watson and Viii
bur +,
The boyhood Of the brothers was spent
on the farm, and they attended the coun-
try schools. Arrived at manhood, Elihu
opened a general store at Delmar. In
1868 he sold out the business and re-
turned to Salisbury TO organize the lum-
Der firm of Il. e. jackson & Co.
Meantime William ii. Jackson had in
1854 married q daughter Of Josephus
Humphreys and moved to Salisbury too.
For three years he dealt in horses and
cattle, and then he went into the lumber
firm with his brother. Wilbur f. jackson
was also in the firm.
CHANGED POLITICAL FAITH.
In his early business career William
II. Jackson led quiet home life, attend
ing strictly to his business affairs He was
then an ardent Democrat and assisted
his brother, the late Governor jackson,
in all his political ambitions. At that time
he never sought political preferment for
himself and took only passive interest
in politics except when his brother was a
candidate.
In 1888 he began to advocate a high
tariff, left the Democratic party and
allied himself actively with the Republi-
can party. He became its recognized
leader on the Eastern Shore and was
soon high in lis party councils in the
| State.
William H. Jackson's first plunge into
politics was when he took the nomination
for the State Senate against Marion V.
Brewington, Democrat, in 1899, and
lost the fight. The following year he
was nominated for Congress and won the
election, receiving 1874 votes, against
1911 for John P. Moore, Democrat
and 1876 for G. A. Cox, Prohibitionist
His victory over James T.. Ellegooc
occurred two years later
REFLECTED AFTER DEFEAT
In 1904 he was again candidate, but
was defeated by Thomas A. Smith Of
Caroline, the Democratic candidate.
In the succeeding contest he defeated
Mr.. Smith and was returned TO the
Sixtieth Congress 1t was in this cam
paign of 1906 that open accusations were
made against Mr.. Jackson of the free
use of money to secure his election
Bribery was alleged to have been ram
pant in the district. Nothing ever came
Of the charges.
Mr.. Jackson was a candidate the last
time in 1908, but was defeated by j.
| HAIRY OONlnBlOn.
Although he and his brother, the late
governor, differed widely in politics, they
always maintained a warm brotherly at
tachment. It looked at one time as il
the two brothers would be pitted against
each other in a Congressional fight. The
Democratic Convention Of 1908 had nomi-
mated T.. E. Jackson. 1t was only his
declination Of the nomination which pre-.
vented this fraternal struggle in that
campaign.
LIBERAL IN CHARITY DONATIONS.
Both Of the Jacksons were liberal ir
their donations, both in their public ano
their private charities. They have bott
done much for the Southern Methodist
Church. The governor built church al
a cost Of $4,000, while the Congressman
erected the Jackson Hospital at a cost O
$4,000. He also contributed literally e
the Northern Methodist Church. Boil
were strong temperance advocates anC
waged vigorous fights for local option.
William p. Jackson succeeded hi
, father as the Republican National Com
mitteeman from Maryland
Congressman jackson leaves one son
, the ex-senator, and a daughter, Mrs
J Josiah Marvel, of Wilmington, Del.