- WILLIAM JACK is a leading farmer of Turtle Township, residing
on section 33. He was born in
- County Donegal, in the North of Ireland, Dec. 28, 1815, and
is a son of James and Elizabeth (THRONE) JACK. The paternal grandfather,
Archibald JACK, was one of the wealthy and prominent citizens
of Ireland belonging to an aristocratic family, and at his home
he often entertained the nobles and lords of that land. Archibald
JACK and his wife had a family of eight children, three sons
and five daughters - James; John, who died in his native land;
Dorothy wedded Joseph CALDWELL, who came to America in an early
day, locating in Chicago. He became one of the wealthy farmers
of Cook County, and his death occurred in that county. Rosanna
became the wife of Samuel HOOD, emigrated to Canada, from thence
to Cook County, Ill., and both are now deceased. Jane is the
deceased wife of Dr. George NOBLE, who was one of Chicago's prominent
physicians. Mary wedded Archibald FLEMING, and both are deceased.
Martha was never married and died in Cook County, Ill. several
years ago.
- James JACK, the father of our subject, being the oldest son
of Archibald JACK, at the death of
- his father became heir to a large landed estate. He emigrated
to this country with his family, settling in the Province of
Quebec, Canada, (then called Lower Canada) about ninety miles
form Montreal, and in 1846 at the solicitation of his son, (our
subject) came to Rock County, Wis. He had a family of nine children,
of which William was the oldest; Rosanna, widow of John WALLACE,
is living in Cook County, Ill.; Sarah died at the age of sixty-five
years; Mary became the wife of James FLETCHER; Archibald is a
well-to- do farmer of Turtle Township; Elizabeth, widow of William
THRONE, is a resident of Argyle, Winnebago County, Ill.; Joseph
is a resident farmer of Turtle Township; and John is living on
the old homestead. The death of Mr. JACK occurred in 1853, and
his wife died in 1868. They were reared in the Scotch Presbyterian
faith, but there being no church of that denomination in this
county, they united with the Episcopal Church.
- The education of our subject was received in Canada, and
in 1836, when twenty years of age, he
- went to Ft. Dearborn, situated on the site of the present
city of Chicago, but which then consisted of a few Indian huts,
and the barracks for the garrison of the fort. The following
winter he went to Indiana, and in the autumn of 1837, came to
the Territory of Wisconsin, taking up his residence in the little
village of Beloit, where he secured work by the month. He worked
in that manner for several years and decided to invest his money
in land, but lost $1,000 in the venture, which was the whole
of his hard earned savings. He finally secured 237 acres on section
33, Turtle Township, a part of which he still continues to own.
Mr. JACK helped to build the first mill ever erected in Beloit,
and in the winter of 1837-8 made a trip through the cold and
snow to Milwaukee for the mill-stones. The discovery of gold
having attracted his attention, in 1852, he went to California
by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, and engaged in mining, in
which he was quite successful, remaining on the Pacific slope
until 1859, when he returned to this county, and began the improvement
of his farm. He has now one of the most highly cultivated farms
in the township, with barns and outbuildings which are models
of convenience.
- On the 18th day of February, 1847, Mr. JACK led to the marriage
altar Miss Phoebe J.
- TIFFANY, who was born Aug. 6, 1828, in Ontario County, N.Y.,
and is a daughter of Nelson and Martha (LEWIS) TIFFANY, the father
a native of Connecticut and the mother of New York. Her parents
removed to Ohio in 1845, but subsequently removed to Manchester
Township, Boone Co., Ill., where Mr. TIFFANY became a wealthy
farmer. He occupied a high position in the social world, was
respected by all who knew him, and died at the ripe old age of
sixty-eight in 1871. His wife died about the year 1853. They
were both members of the Baptist Church.
- Two children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. JACK, daughters
- Martha, who was born in Rock
- County, April 11, 1847, became the wife of Dr. J. H. CRUMPTON,
a native of Alabama, and now a leading physician of the regular
school at Sausalito, Cal. They have one child - Clara J., born
May 28, 1880. The doctor, politically, is an ardent Democrat,
and has taken an active interest in the political questions.
He has served several terms in the Legislature of California.
At present, he is President of the State Medical Association
of California. Clara, the second child, is now the wife of Dr.
J. P. WEBSTER, of Delavan, Walworth Co., Wis.; Dr. WEBSTER is
a homoeopathist, and has a wide reputation as a surgeon. He enjoys
a large and lucrative practice. Politically, he is a Republican,
but has never sought distinction outside of his profession. Mr.
and Mrs. JACK have given their daughters the best of educational
advantages, Martha having been educated at the Rockford Seminary,
while Clara received her education Lake Port, Cal. This worthy
couple still make their home on the farm, on which they began
their domestic life. They are surrounded by every comfort and
luxury which can administer to their happiness and their home
is widely known as the abode of hospitality. All are made welcome
by kindly greeting and genial manner of host and hostess. Mrs.
JACK is a lady of the highest social attainments and possesses
that innate delicacy, which leads her to understand her guests
and place each one at his ease. She is a member of the Presbyterian
Church, consistent in her profession and an active worker for
the interest of the organization to which she belongs. While
not a member of any church, Mr. JACK gives liberally in support
of the gospel, and also to the up-building of educational institutions.
He is a Democrat in polities, and while taking an interest in
political affairs, as every true American citizen should do,
he has steadily refused to accept public office. As a citizen
none stands higher in the community than William JACK, whose
honorable, upright course of life has won him the confidence
and respect of all.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 374-375.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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