 |
| Genealogy preserves legacy of pioneer doctor |
|
| Question: Boone County Heritage Museum recently received the genealogy research files of the late Ruth Jackson. Seldom does one find such complete files on so many families! Today I thought it would be neat to tell about one of the people whose life she recorded. |
 Answer: Dr. George Ira Jackson (left), son of James F. Jackson and grandson of Thomas Andrew Jackson, will be the Jackson descendant discussed. This is the line to which Ruth Jackson's husband, Dr. Ulys Jackson, belonged. The following is from Ruth's records:
George Ira, better known as Dr. Jackson or Dr. G. I. Jackson was born February 5, 1876. At the time he graduated from the University of Arkansas Medical School, he was married to Arizona Brand, and had one child, J. L. (Lloyd). His first practice was serving as the doctor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad during the time when the line was being built through this territory to Batesville, Arkansas. His wife, Arizona, cooked for the railroad hands. |
| When this job was finished, he settled at Alco, Arkansas, in Stone County. Here the twins, Ulys and Eula, were born in 1905. When the twins were only five months old, the family moved to Valley Springs, where Dr. G. I. practiced medicine for 15 years before moving to Harrison in 1921. Here he lived until his death in 1934. |
| Will Keeling tells an interesting story about meeting Arizona, G. I. and the five month old twins at the train in Everton when they were moving from Alco to Valley Springs. Will and his son, Troy, had gone from Rally Hill in a wagon to meet them at the station. It was in the month of December and was bitter cold and snowing. |
| As they started on the slow, cold trip home, Ulys cried and continued crying all the way home. Will said he did not think the baby could live to make it to Rally Hill if he kept on the way he was crying. But when they got home and unwrapped the babies, they found they had been carrying Ulys up-side down the whole trip! |
| During the time Dr. G. I. Jackson lived at Valley Spring, he bought one of the first cars in Boone County. It was a Ford and he ordered it from the Sears-Roebuck Company - complete with instructions for operating the car. There are many interesting tales about his first car! |
| When Dr. George Ira Jackson moved to Harrison from Valley Springs in 1921, he soon bought the first X-ray machine in this part of the state. It was the first x-ray machine between Springfield, Missouri and Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. G. I. was known as a pioneer in x-ray work. |
| Dr. Jackson and his wife, Arizona, were parents of four children: Dr. J. Lloyd Jackson, Dr. Ulys Jackson, Eula Jackson,l and Joyce Jackson. Dr. Lloyd married Ruah Shinn of Jasper; Dr. Ulys married Ruth Simpson of Franklin; Eula married Bill Cantrell of Olvey; and Joyce married Chester Parrott of Flippin. |
| The Jackson home still stands proudly above Lake Harrison in Woodland Heights, and is owned and occupied by Dr. Ulys and Ruth Jackson's daughter, Shirley Jackson-Ormond. Some of the original features of the home place can be seen today, as modern remodeling by Jackson- Ormond has carefully preserved the integrity of the property. |
| Dr. George Ira Jackson life is just one of many people that Ruth Simpson Jackson researched. Ruth wrote, "Dr. George Ira Jackson was a small man, weighing about 138 lbs. and was 5 ft.7 inches tall. He had black hair and brown eyes. His character was above reproach. It is said that he never refused to go see the sick or the poor. He always tried to do his duty." |
| The Heritage Museum invites you to share your family stories for future generations to enjoy. We sincerely thank the Jackson family for sharing theirs with us! Our genealogy room continues to add items each week, so take time to stop by and spend the afternoon at the museum. Located on the corner of South Cherry Street and Central Avenue, the museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. |
| Weather permitting, the re-dedication of Beller-Jenkins Cemetery will be tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Come by and see the restoration of this historic cemetery. A light lunch will be served. |
| This column appears Fridays in the Harrison Daily Times. Mail questions to Boone County Heritage Museum, P. O. Box 1094, Harrison, AR 72601. Marilyn Smith can be contacted at bchm@alltel.net |
|
|
 |
|
|
