T.J. Jackson is one of the pioneers of Kansas. He settled temporarily in Irving, Marshall county, in 1866, where his wife had relatives living. In December of the same year he located a claim in Shirley county (now Cloud) in that part of Lawrence that was afterward included in Elk township. He still retains the homestead which he traveled all the way from Indiana to secure, but lives in the city of Clyde where he has made a comfortable home. He met with many hardships and his courage was extinguished to the extent of desiring to return to his home on the Wabash, but he was too poor for the undertaking. He lived on his homestead nearly thirty years and unlike most of the Kansas farmers, never had a mortgage hanging over his head. Mr. Jackson was among the party who engaged in the search for Miss White who was captured by the Indians. He has killed many buffalo. While on one trip in the region of the Salt Marsh, his party was compelled to stop while a herd of buffalo passed. There were thousands of them packed closely together. As they approached, their hoofs sounded like the rumbling of distant thunder. The company repaired to a knoll and waited for them to pass which required about two hours. The herd was a quarter of a mile in length. The buffalo did not seem excited but marched in an unbroken line.

The birthplace of Mr. Jackson was Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born in 1829. His mother died when he was a boy and he was reared in the home of an uncle in Logansport, Indiana, until the age of eleven years, when he began life for himself. Mr. Jackson has a brother, Noah M., living at Afton, Union county, Iowa, and a sister, Mrs. Martha A. Bully, near Eaton, Ohio. Mr. Jackson was married in 1848, to Mary E. Short, who was born in Delaware, in 1831. She is a daughter of Joe and Nancy (Benson) Short. Her father was born in 1812, and her mother in 1810. Aaron, William and Reuben Short, well known citizens of Concordia are her brothers. Another brother, Jacob Short, is a resident of Florida. The youngest brother lost his eyesight from fever at two years of age and died when eleven in Indianapolis. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson eight children have been born, five of whom are: Martha, wife of Sherman Baker of Riley county, Kansas, a prominent farmer and stockman. John Marion, a successful man engaged in the implement business in Clyde. Edward Washington, deceased at infancy. Mary Ann, deceased at the age of ten years. Schuyler Colfax, died at the age of two years. Ella Etta, an invalid. Lucy May, was the first girl baby born in the Elk creek addition; she is the wife of C.E. Merritt, a hardware man with residence in Augusta, Oklahoma. Mary Elizabeth Shayler, with her two children, Walter A. and Lottie L., make their home with the family of her father.

Mr. Jackson votes the Republican ticket and cast his first ballot for Winfield Scott. In state affairs he has supported that party ever since. In local affairs he gives preference to the best man. For many years Mr. Jackson was an anti-secret society man, but overcame his prejudices twelve years ago and became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Christian church and are also active in temperance work. To see Mrs. Jackson one would not suppose she had passed through the vicissitudes of life and reached the mile stone of three score and ten, as she looks a much younger woman. Mr. Jackson is an honorable, honest man, held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and friends.