John Jackson (1870 - 1945)

Born 1870 in Orillia, Ontario

Ancestors

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Biography

John Jackson is likely born in September 1870 in Orillia, Ontario, the son of William Jackson (1847-1900) and Charlotte Clarke (1845-1903). Orillia is 144 kilometres north of Toronto. John’s father is descended from Scottish settlers in Scarborough Township who had moved up to the relatively new village of Orillia in the 1850s. His father spent most of his life in Orillia variously operating a livery stable, working as a teamster and then working as a mail carrier. John’s mother was born in Medonte Township, Simcoe County (just to the west of Orillia) and she, too, is descended from Scottish immigrants. Both of John’s parents died young (in their early 50’s).

John is seven months old in the 1871 census, living with his parents in Orillia. He is 10-years old in the 1881 census and he is no longer living at home in the 1891 census. He has not been found in any 1891 census record, although there is a 21-year old “John Jackson” living in Toronto who might be the person of interest. By 1903, when his mother dies, he is living at Jarratt’s Corners in Medonte Township. This is a few kilometres west of Orillia and it is where his grandfather (Charlotte’s father) farmed.

He can be identified at the age of 40 in the 1911 census, living in Vancouver and working as a labourer on a farm. He is living in his younger brother’s house – Angus Laurence Jackson who is 26-years old. In addition to John and Angus Jackson, there is a “Maud” living in the house and the census record shows Angus and Maud are married -- see the biography of Angus Laurence Jackson (1886-1939) for a fuller explanation. However, it may be that Maud is actually married to John (because there is a marriage record for Angus in 1913 when he marries Florence Taylor). The 30-year old Maud in the 1911 census record is a mystery.

In the 1921 census records, there is a John Jackson living in the district of Skeena, British Columbia and, although the writing on the census record is difficult to read, it seems that this John Jackson is a foreman in a cannery earning $1200 a year. The district of Skeena included (in 1921 census) the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) and the islands along the coast of the mainland of British Columbia.

From newspaper accounts, in 1927 John, who lives in Vancouver, is in the Orillia area visiting one of his sisters. In 1931 John is again reported to be in the Lake Simcoe area visiting one of his sisters.

John dies in 1945 and he may be buried in the Saint Andrew Saint James cemetery on Coldwater Road in Orillia, along with two of his brothers: Angus and William. A large memorial stone in the cemetery lists the three brothers, although at least one, Angus, is actually buried in Vancouver. His parents and three sisters are buried in the same cemetery.

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Sources

[1] The 1968 Paterson family tree shows John as the 2nd child of William and Charlotte. It shows no spouse or children.

[2] 1871 census, Ontario, Simcoe North, 42, Orillia, pg 21, household 78: William Jackson (23), proprietor of a livery stable; Charlotte (25); John (7 months) – ie born in abt Sept 1870

[3] 1881 census, Ontario, Simcoe North 139, Orillia, pg 70, household 326. William (33), Charlotte (35), John (10), Jennetto (8), Mary M (4), William (2).

[4] 1891 census, Ontario, 119 Toronto West, pp 38-39, family #165: In the household of a 38-year old widow (name is not legible), there are 2 children and 8 lodgers. One of the lodgers is a 21-year old John Jackson who was born in Ontario and whose religion is Presbyterian. Both of John’s parents were born in Ontario. John has an occupation but it is difficult to read (could be a “moulder.”)

[5] 1911 census, British Columbia, 46 & 47 Vancouver, pg 5, household #59: Angus L. Jackson (26), born in Ont Feb 1885, merchant, appears to work in a confectionary store ; John Jackson (40) born in Ont in Sept 1870, brother [ie, brother of the head of the household, Angus L], he is shown as “S” (ie, single), labourer, works on a farm; Maude Jackson (30) born in Ontario in June 1881, wife [she is apparently the wife of Angus Laurence, not John], occupation not legible. All 3 are described as “Scotch” and their religion is shown as Presbyterian. It is not possible to read the street address.

[6] 1921 census, British Columbia, Skeena, Smith, pg 15, family #?? (line 35) The head of the household is a John Alex Byers and in the household are two lodgers. One of these is a 50-yr old John Jackson who was born in Ontario. Both of his parents were also born in Ontario and his religion is Presbyterian. His occupation is a foreman, and it looks as if he works in a cannery making $1,200/yr.

[7] Gwen David Cunningham & Dale Cunningham @ http://www.gwennyalogy.org/wc22/wc22_381.htm “The Orillia Newsletter, December 28, 1927- NEVIS- Mr. John Jackson, Vancouver, B.C., has been holidaying with his sister, Mrs. A.H. Crawford, for a few days.”

[8] Northern Advance, Nov 5, 1931, pg 5: “Mr. John Jackson is visiting his sister, Mrs. Purvis, for a few weeks.” [in Hawkestone]

[9] Even though the bodies may not be interred in the Saint Andrew Saint James cemetery on Coldwater Road in Orillia, Ontario, a large headstone has been erected in memory of three of the sons of William Jackson and Charlotte Clarke: William L. Jackson 1879-1904; Angus L. Jackson 1886-1939; and John Jackson 1870-1945.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Fred Nix for creating Jackson-8420 on 18 Nov 13. Click the Changes tab for the details on contributions by Fred and others.