George Edward, son of William
and Mary Moore Jackson, was born
in a sod house on one of the few
remaining homesteads in Buena Vista
County, still in possession of the
members of the family originally
claiming the same, on October 24,
1866. He was more affectionately
known as "Dick" and was one of
twin sons the other being "Mike"
who still lives in Newell. His birthplace
is now farmed by his brother
Herbert and is known far and wide
as the Jackson Fruit Farm. He was
in normal health for one of his
years and there was only a brief
period of illness in Swallum Hospital
in Storm Lake, when the end
came on November 12, 1946 at 7:30
P.M. He had attained the age of 80
years, 19 days.
At the time of his birth, conditions
were in the most primitive
stage in this section of Iowa. There
were no railroads. Neighbors were
very few and remote from each
other. The county seat was at Sioux
Rapids. The family came from Detroit.
Michigan presumably shortly
after Congress had passed the Home
stead settlement act and had been
located only a few months when the
twins appeared on the earthly scene
for a sojourn which was to last four
score years.
The Illinois Central or any railroad
was still in the dream stage
There was no town site any where
near. Storm Lake was "beautiful
for situation" but there was no
"City Beautiful" nor any other
sign of habitation. No Newell was
in prospect or promise.
When the twins were six years of
age a pioneer Methodist preacher
made the rounds of an exploring
trip and had an appointment in the
neighborhood. Among the pastoral
duties performed was to baptize the
twins on July 25th, 1872, when
they had reached the age of six
years. Clergyman was the Rev. Richard
Pinch a minister of the M.E. Church
whose residence was Chiacgo, Ill.
There were seven children, born
into the family: Mrs. Mary Elizabeth
Srott, Mattie, Arthur Walter,
William, all of whom have preceded him to the eternal realm. Surviving are Elijah Joseph (Mike);
Eliza Jane, and Herbert all of Newell. There are many nieces and
nephews and friends innumerable
in the Newell communiiy.
Funeral services were held from
his home just across the line from
the family homestead in Sac County
on Saturday, November 16 and in
the First Methodist Church in Newell
and were in charge of the pastor
The Rev. Nelson F. Grote with a
former pastor, the Rev. Karl W. G.
Hiller assisting. Consoling hymns
were sung by Mrs. Harold Pullen
and Mrs. N. F. Grote with Mrs.
Frank Witter at the piano. Interment
was in the Newell cemetery,
in charge of Larson Funeral Service.