History of the American Negro: West Virginia Edition

William Jackson

122 history american negro indispensable about the court all matters referred to him. He has a very wide acquaintance among the judges and lawyers of the whole state by whom he is held in high esteem. On July 22, 1914, Mr. Jackson married Miss Gertrude Diana Campbell, daughter of Levi C. and P. Campbell. Mrs. Jackson was educated at Storer College and West Virginia Collegiate Institute. They have three children, Phillip Ellsworth, Laura Mathews and Jane Lee Jackson. Mr. Jackson is, of course, a Republican in politics, in religion a Baptist. He belongs to the N. A. A. C. P. He has found help and inspiration in books like the Life of John Bunyan, History of American Pioneers and the lives of successful men of today. Looking back over his career he is of the opinion that the most helpful and potent factor in shaping his life was the counsel, companionship and Christian devotion of his mother, who went to her reward in 1921. He knows of no shortcuts to real success. He believes rather, that permanent progress must be built by “cooperation in business and a readiness and a disposition to help, when in position to do so, less fortunate members of the race to acquire property and secure education for the youth, encouragement of the spirit of thrift and the cultivation of the moral courage to stand for what is right.” William Jackson Just as the great Civil War was breaking in all its fury on the country, Rev. William Jackson, who was later to take his place as a religious leader among his people, was born. The place of his birth was Hale’s Ford, Franklin County, Va., and the date was April 4, 1861. His father, Jack Jackson, was a farm hand, and died soon after the close of the war, so William was not only deprived of a father’s care and attention, but had, with a brother, to work from childhood to help support their mother and the younger children. William’s mother, before her marriage, was Mary Powell, daughter of Isam Powell. His william jackson 124 history american negro great grandmother, on the mother’s side was named for her master and was Patience Sutherland. In this day of high wages, rapid travel and splendid educational opportunities, it is not easy to realize the difficulties which confronted the ambitious Negro boy just after the war, when wages were low, transportation slow and opportunities meager. The first consideration was food and clothing, and it frequently happened by the time these were secured there was neither time nor money for schooling. And yet many of them, like the subject of this biography, managed to equip themselves for the work of life, because they were prompted by a spirit of service to the race to make the necessary sacrifices. Mr. Jackson laid the foundation of his education in the public schools of Virginia, including Roanoke, Botetourt County, Greenridge and Cloverdale schools. When he was able to secure teacher’s license he began teaching, and enjoyed the distinction of opening up the first school for colored children in Craig County, Va. For twenty-five years he taught in the same school house. He has lived to see many of his early pupils grow to manhood and womanhood and, in fact, had the pleasure of teaching their children. It is as a preacher of the Gospel that he is best and most widely known, however. His religious experience began when he was converted at the age of 22. He joined the High Mount Baptist church and was licensed to preach in 1887. In 1889 he was ordained to the full work of the ministry and has had a number of important pastorates. He has been going in and out before the people for thirty-five years and has had a fruitful ministry. He organized and built the Fairfield Baptist Church at Newcastle,Va., which he served for eight years. He preached at First Baptist Church of White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., twice. His first pastorate lasted eight years, the second, six years. During the second pastorate, a modern new brick house of worship was erected. He also served the First Baptist Church of Eagle Rock, Va., five years; Oak Grove, Waynesboro, Va., two years; First Baptist, McDonald, W. Va., seven years; St. John, Raleigh, W. Va., his present pastorate, four years; west virginia edition 125 and...