CHARLES JACKSON, a pioneer miller of this county, proprietor of the Turtleville grist-mill, is a native of the Empire State, born in Chenango County, April 5, 1823, and is a son of John and Betsy (WHITING) JACKSON. His father was born in England, and his mother in New York. During his youth, John JACKSON learned the miller's trade, which he followed until thirty-five years of age, when he embarked in the hotel business in the town of Smyrna, Chenango Co., N.Y. His death occurred in 1878. To him and his wife were born four children, namely: James, who is living in Madison County, N.Y.; Angeline, who is living in Hamilton, Madison Co., N.Y.; Charles of this sketch, and Eliza, wife of John L. MATISEN, of Owego, N.Y. (Oswego?)
In the common schools of his native county, our subject received his education, and at the age of eighteen years went to Oneida County, N.Y., where he learned the miller's trade, following that occupation for three years. In 1844 he was united in marriage to the lady of his choice, Miss Caroline HUDSON. Their union was celebrated in New Hartford, Oneida Co., N.Y., in which county she was born in 1826. Her father, Thomas HUDSON, was a native of Boston, Mass. In 1845, the young couple removed to Norwich, and later became residents of Smyrna, N.Y., where they resided until 1849, when they became residents of Walworth County, Wis. On his arrival in that county Mr. JACKSON took charge of the mill at Lyons, on White River the outlet of Geneva Lake, and remained in charge of that mill until 1851, at which time he went to Geneva and shortly afterward returned to the east. In 1852 he again came to Wisconsin, locating at Genoa Junction, Walworth County, afterward removing to Fairfield, Rock County, where he operated a mill until 1870, at which time he rented the mill at Turtleville. He has made many repairs, placing it in the best condition for doing good work, and has also refitted and overhauled many mills in the surrounding country. In 1880, in company with his son, John F. he went to Roscoe, Ill., and bought a mill, which he operated successfully until 1888, when selling out, he returned to Turtleville, and again took charge of the mill at that place. Mr. JACKSON has mastered his trade in every detail, and is a most successful miller.
He and his wife are the parents of seven children - Charles W., a miller of Stebbinsville, Rock County; Angeline, wife of William BUDD, of Roscoe, Ill.; Caroline, wife of William CHAMBERS, a resident of Jefferson County, Wis.; John F., a miller of Roscoe; Eliza, wife of William CORTY, who is engaged in farming near Whittemore, Iowa; James who is clerking in Beloit; and Julia, wife of John W. SHOEMAKER of Chicago. In 1884 Mr. JACKSON was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died June 12, and was buried in the cemetery at Roscoe, Ill. In his political sentiments, he is a supporter of the Democratic party, and is well known throughout the county as one of its worthy and esteemed citizens.
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 330, 331
Submitted by Carol