JOHN E. JACKSON was born in the City of Springfield, August 11, 1845, where he worked for different parties and attended school until October, 1862, when he was employed as messenger boy in the Adjutant General's office until August 24, 1869. He then went to Chicago, Illinois and was there employed on the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne and C.C. & I.C. Railroads as porter and conductor of a Pullman Palace Sleeper. He remained in this business until 1871, when the big fire in Chicago broke out, and he lost all he had in the fire and came back to his home in Springfield, and was employed in L. H. Coleman's carpet store, where he remained about three years. November 13, 1875, he began to work in the Ridgely National Bank, where he is still employed. He was married to Miss Matilda J. Wright, at Springfield, Illinois, July 9, 1874; the fruits of this marriage is three children, one living, viz: John T. C. Jackson. Mrs. Matilda (Wright) Jackson was born in Huntsville, Missouri, February 11, 1847; she was a daughter of Thomas J. Wright, born in Kentucky; he was a member of the M. E. Church, and came to Springfield, Illinois, in 1856. His wife, Sarah Fortune, was born in Virginia; she is also a member of the M. E. Church. The father of J. E. Jackson was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, July 16, 1804; he was a member of the Baptist Church; he died November 20, 1876. His wife, Matilda Foster, was born in Kentucky; she was a member of the M. E. Church, and died August 26, 1880. J. E. Jackson, the subject of this sketch, has a common school education, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant for President. He owns a nice residence at 608 South Ninth street, Springfield. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church.