Obituary

DEATH OF THOMAS JACKSON

Thomas Jackson, an aged and prominent citizen, died about seven o’clock last evening at the residence of his son-in-law, Henry Connard, on Center Avenue, of an affection of the brain, from which he had suffered during the past nine months. For the past three days he was unconscious and his death was momentarily expected. The deceased was born in Birmingham, England, in December, 1806, and was consequently in the 72nd year of his age. He came to the United States with his father’s family at about the age of 23 years. His father, John Jackson, who was a rope-maker by occupation, located in Reading, where his three sons, Thomas, Edward and Henry, engaged in business. During his residence of nearly half a century in Reading, Thomas Jackson conducted an extensive rope-making establishment, and manufactured some of the longest ropes in the market. Although frequently unfortunate by having sustained losses by fire and water, he was successful in business and amassed a large fortune. His first establishment was located along the Schuylkill below the Lancaster bridge, on the spot at present occupied by the steamboat landing. His establishment was twice swept away by freshets, and after the memorable freshet of 1851 he removed to the northeastern section of the city on First Hockley lane, which was then considered out of town, being composed entirely of vacant lots and farm land. Here he reacted the longest rope-walk in Pennsylvania, measuring 1,600 feet in length, and Jackson’s establishment soon became famous throughout the country for the manufacture of long ropes and cordage. During the war when there was a great demand for long ropes, and but a few places in the country where they could be obtained, Jackson’s establishment did an extensive business. With the growth of the city, new streets were laid out in the vicinity of the rope walk, and the establishment was gradually surrounded by buildings. Finally Oley street was laid out through the rope-walk, the opening of which would have ruined the establishment, and although the street has not been opened by the city authorities, Mr. Jackson was caused considerable uneasiness. Twice the establishment was destroyed by fire, believed to have been each time the result of incendiarism. The loss by one of these fires was estimated at $60,000, a considerable portion of which was covered by insurance. For a number of years past Mr. Jackson had relinquished the management of his business to his son, Henry H. Jackson, No. 802 North Ninth street.

The deceased was of broad and liberal views and strong convictions, exceedingly tenacious of purpose and immovable after once taking a decided stand upon any question. He was unrelentingly opposed to slavery, and as an original abolitionist, was the warm friend and admirer of Horace Greeley, Thurlow Weed, and other anti-slavery agitators. He was a warm friend of the workingman and was opposed to the degradation of labor. In politics he was an unflinching Republican. The deceased was a kind-hearted man and a firm friend to all who had the pleasure of his friendship. The deceased leaves but one son living, his daughter, Mrs. Connard, by whose death he was greatly affected, having died about nine months ago. His two brothers, Edward and Henry, both residents of this city, survive him, as also two sisters who are residents of Scranton.