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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., May 6, 1915, page 1

OBITUARY

James William Jackson is Klickitat pioneer who succumbed to a lingering illness at his home in Goldendale Friday April 30. He was born in the Davidson County, North Carolina, near the town of Thomasville in 1841. His parents were farmers and he came to manhood during the heat of the great civil conflict that the United States was involved in at that time. Although he was a native of the a strong Confederate State his sympathies were with the union and his proclivities along these along that line got him into trouble several times. On one occasion he was condemned to death and escaped three hours before time set for his execution. After the war Mr. Jackson led a roving life in the Middle West for a number of years working his way toward the Golden Sunset of the Pacific Coast. He came to Oregon in 1871 and located in the Willamette Valley. In 1873 he came to the Klickitat Valley and found employment in the sheep industry. In 1874 he carried the mail on the first mail route established by the Government in Klickitat County going on horseback from The Dalles to Columbus, from Columbus to Goldendale, Goldendale to Blockhouse and back to The Dalles, taking a week for the trip. Later Mr. Jackson acquired a band of sheep of his own and took up land in the Spring Creek country where he owned a fine farm at the time of his death. In 1884 Mr. Jackson returned to North Carolina and married Miss Ruth E. Pope. In 1911 he retired from active work and moved to Goldendale to reside. Mr. Jackson always took an active interest in the development of Klickitat County along all lines and in politics was a staunch Republican. He held the office of County Sheep Inspector for several years. He is survived by his widow Mrs. Ruth E. Jackson and three children; Earl B. Jackson, Mrs. Roy Adams and Carl Jackson all of Goldendale.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., May 7, 1915, page 2

JAMES W. JACKSON

James W. Jackson, a Klickitat pioneer, succumbed to a lingering illness at his home in Goldendale April 30, 1915. He was born in 1841 in the state of North Carolina.
James W. Jackson grew to young manhood on a North Carolina farm. He received his education in the common schools but owing to the many reverses to which he and his parents were subjected during his youth, his schooling was insufficient. When the Civil war broke out his people were of pronounced union sentiments and feared not to uphold their view. Though but twenty he refused to yield to the secessionist demands, and fought a duel with an officer of the confederate army, in which shots were exchanged and the officer seriously wounded. For his impetuosity James was imprisoned and ordered to be shot, but, fortunately managed to escape. During the time of his imprisonment he was compelled to work for eighteen months in a paper factory. In 1866 he started afoot from North Carolina to Tennessee with a dollar and a half in his pocket and the clothing he wore his sole possessions. He tarried but a short time in Tennessee, proceeding thence to Kentucky, where he stayed for two years. He then spent a short time in Indiana and Missouri, and then in 1871, came west to Oregon, settling in Clackamas county, where he stayed for three years.
His final move was to Klickitat county in 1873, and, upon his arrival he found only three buildings, in what is now the prosperous town of Goldendale. He found employment in the sheep industry. In 1874 he carried the mail on the first mail route established by the government in Klickitat county, going on horseback from The Dalles to Columbus; from Columbus to Goldendale; and from Goldendale to Blockhouse, and then back to The Dalles. It took a week for the trip. Later Mr. Jackson acquired a band of sheep of his own, and took up land in the Spring Creek country, where he owned a fine farm at the time of his death.
Mr. Jackson was married June 15, 1882, in North Carolina, to Miss Ruth E. Pope, a native of that state, making a special trip for that purpose. In 1911 he retired from active work, and moved to this city to reside. Mr. Jackson always took an active interest in the development of Klickitat county along all lines; and in politics was a republican. He held the office of county sheep inspector for several years. Though claiming no literary talent, he had written a number of very interesting papers on his experiences during the war, and considering the nature of his experiences, the papers proved most worthy of publication.
He is survived by his widow Miss Ruth E. Jackson, and three children: Earl B. Jackson, Mrs. Roy Adams, and Carl Jackson, all of Goldendale. The funeral services were held on Friday afternoon, from the family residence, Rev. W.N. Knox, officiating. The remains were taken to the Spring Creek cemetery, where, after a short address by Elder J.E. Adams, the body was interred for its long rest.