Jacob B. Jackson

Jacob Beeson Jackson (born April 6, 1829 in Parkersburg , Virginia , † December 11, 1893 ibid) was an American politician and from 1881 to 1885 the sixth governor of the state of West Virginia .

Early years and political advancement

Jacob Jackson grew up in his hometown of Parkersburg in what is now West Virginia, where he also attended local schools. His father, a cousin of Confederation General Stonewall Jackson , taught him law . After attending the bar, Jackson opened a law firm in St. Marys , Pleasants County, in 1852 . Between 1858 and 1864 he was a prosecutor in Pleasants County. The same office he held from 1870 to 1876 in Wood County . After serving a term in the West Virginia House of Representatives , he was elected Mayor of Parkersburg in 1879. A year later he won the gubernatorial election as a candidate for the Democratic Party .

West Virginia Governor

Jackson's four-year tenure as governor began on March 4, 1881. One of the main focuses of his administration was improving the school system. State legislation has also been revised. Under Governor Jackson, taxes were raised to finance public services. Similar to his predecessors, Jackson promoted the industry. He tried to lure both people and companies into the state. In 1885 the capital was finally relocated to Charleston ; this was the result of a referendum in 1877.

Jackson's tenure ended on March 4, 1885. He then retired to Parkersburg, where he worked as a lawyer again. He died there in 1893. Jacob Jackson was married to Marie Antoinette Williard with whom he had two children.

Web links

• Jacob B. Jackson in the database of the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of West Virginia (English)
• Jacob B. Jackson in the database of Find a Grave (English)