Short Biography of Richard Jackson

Richard Jackson, deceased, left a record and memory that might well be the envy of anyone, either in home or business life. His services in both were given with an enthusiasm and integrity that permit his life's reviewers to speak of him as a man whose object in life was to secure the betterment of his fellowmen and the upbuilding if his adopted country. This worthy gentleman was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, April 11, 1827. He remained at home until his fifteenth year, and then, being of an adventurous and enterprising spirit, left his native land and came to America to "seek his fortune." What education he had opportunity to acquire had been very thorough and his mind was well disciplined. Heis was a natural intelligence and activity and soon he became a valued employe in the land of his adoption. For several years he was engaged, first as messenger and errand boy and afterward as clerk in drygoods establishments, in New York and Brooklyn, and thus obtained a thorough practical knowledge of the business he was destined to prosecute so successfully on his own behalf. This period of his life was one of considerable hardship and privation, which, however, was borne with courage and fortitude, and was often referred to by him in his more prosperous days as having been a useful discipline in forming habits of industry and self-denial, so essential to success in life. In 1844, his family removed from Ireland to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he also came shortly afterward. Before reaching his majority he was engaged in the drygoods business on his own account at Cincinnati, and prosecuted it with great energy and success. He afterward removed to Indianapolis, where he carried on business for a time, and from thence came to Richmond, in 1855. Here he founded the extensive drygoods establishment known as the "new York Cash Store," which was, by the way, the first house conducted upon a strictly cash system in the city. The system was found to work well; and by his unremitting attention to business, his frank and genial manners and square dealing with customers, Mr. Jackson soon built up a large and lucrative business, which he continued to enjoy up to his retirement a few years before his death. In 1876, in connection with others, he founded the piano company afterward known as the "Chase Piano Company," of Richmond, of which he was secretary and treasurer at the time of his death; and by his able management of its finances succeeded in placing it upon a slid basis, and making it one of the leading manufacturing interests of the city. He always felt a great interest in Richmond, and contributed much to its improvement by the erection of several large and important buildings. In September, 1851, at Louisville, Ky., he married Miss Anna M. Knott, and this loving couple lived a happy life from that date to the time of Mr. Jackson's death, Feb. 16, 1881. To them were born three sons and two daughters, all of whom survived him. He was most devotedly attached to his family, found his greatest pleasure in their society, and the chief object of all his care and labor was to provide for their comfort and happiness, to educate well his children and fit them for lives of usefulness. His attachments to friends were strong, and in the social circle he was always most genial and companionable. His hospitality was unbounded and his kindness of heart was shown, not only by words of sympathy, but by constant acts of real, though unostentatiousbenevlence. In business circles he was noted and respected for his great industry and energy, his promptness and punctuality, and his honorable, upright and systematic manner of doing business. He had a splendid physique and vigorous constitution, and enjoyed excellent health until about June 1, 1880, when he was suddenly stricken by a strange malady, which at first seemed to affect the organs, baffling the skill of some of the ablest physicians in Richmond and elsewhere. With his characteristic firmness and all the power of his will, he resisted the advance of this dread disease, but all in vain. His sufferings, which were great, were borne with great patience and fortitude, and were not able to overcome his thoughtful solicitude for his family and friends, and his grateful appreciation of the loving care and attention he received at their hands. His death was peaceful, and he passed away without a struggle. During his residence at Indianapolis he connected himself with the Protestant Episcopal church, of which he continued to be a member. Although making no loud professions, he was a firm believer in the truths of revealed religion, and in his last hours was enable to meet death with firmness, feeling himself in the hands of a merciful God.

Source: "Memoirs of Wayne County and the city of Richmond, Indiana; from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Wayne County" ⁶⁶⁹