Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa, 
and Lafayette Wisconsin, J. H. Beers & Co., 1901, Chicago, IL.

Pages 869 - 870 ~ Grant County

CHRISTOPHER MACABUS JACKSON.  While perhaps most of the sturdy settlers of 
Wisconsin came originally from the East, or directly from the old country, a 
few, here and there, may be found who represent the best blood of the South, 
sons and grandsons of those brave and daring Virginians, who crossed the 
mountains, and in one of the longest and bloodiest struggles with the savage 
race, wrested from Indian occupancy and control the fair lands of Kentucky.  
One of the best specimens of that rare and splendid type of American manhood is 
Christopher M. JACKSON, who is also the oldest surviving pioneer of Potosi, 
Grant county, and with one exception its oldest citizen.
 
Mr.. JACKSON was born in Greenville, Muhlenberg county, Ky., Jan. 17, 1816, one 
of the thirteen children of Jesse and Hannah (RHODES) JACKSON, who were among 
the most worthy pioneers of Kentucky, and the grandson of Christopher JACKSON, 
who was probably of English descent, the family having located in Virginia, in 
Colonial times.  Christopher had seven sons, Julius, Christopher, Gabriel, 
Samuel, George, Leroy and Jesse, one of whom entered the Continental army at 
the age of sixteen years.  Jesse JACKSON, father of our subject, was born in 
Virginia, but migrated to the Kentucky frontier about 1785.  The Indians were 
then very troublesome and the settlers often had to live in a blockhouse, where 
to avoid surprise by the savages, Jesse took turns with the others in standing 
guard.  He was a farmer and millwright by occupation, and a man of commanding 
influence.  He served as sheriff of Muhlenberg county, and was for many years a 
justice of the peace.  In religious faith he was a member of the Baptist 
church.  He died in 1847, aged seventy-eight years.  His wife, Hannah RHODES, 
was a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch lineage.  She was one of six children, 
her four brothers and one sister being Solomon, David, Henry, Jacob and 
Catherine.  Of the thirteen children born to Jesse and Hannah JACKSON, two died 
in childhood.  The other eleven attained an average age of over eighty years, 
Nancy being ninety-eight at her death.  They were Elisha, Nancy, Samuel, Leroy, 
Elizabeth, Martha, Mary, Esther, Christopher M., Susan and Harvey.  Of these 
Christopher M. and Harvey are the only known survivors, the latter being a 
resident of Sac City, Iowa.
 
Christopher M. JACKSON, at the age of nineteen, in 1835, left his native State 
for the Northwest.  He tarried for a short time at Dubuque, Iowa, then came to 
Wisconsin, which was a part of the territory of Michigan.  In 1836 he located 
at Potosi, and was living there when the territory of Wisconsin was organized.  
He followed mining for several years, then bought wild land and turned his 
attention to agriculture.  In 1850 he drove team across the Plains to 
California, spending about fifteen months in that State.  While there he 
discovered the famous "Yankee Jim" mine, which in company with others he 
developed and for a time worked quite successfully.  Upon his return to 
Wisconsin he sold his interest in the mine.  Since 1873 Mr. JACKSON has resided 
in the village of Potosi, where for thirteen years he kept the Banfill House.  
For some years he was a partner with his son-in-law in the leading store of the 
town, under the firm name of HUNT & JACKSON, though he never gave personal 
attention to mercantile business.
 
In 1846 Mr. JACKSON married Miss Martha BONHAM, a native of Pike Co., Missouri, 
and the daughter of Captain Francis and Mary (NEAVILL) BONHAM, who were among 
the prominent pioneers of Grant Co., Wis.  Capt. BONHAM was one of a family of 
five sons and two daughters, namely, James, Joseph, Francis, Harvey, Martin, 
Isabella and Mahala.  He was born in Rye Valley, Wythe county, Va., in 1806, 
and in 1818 removed to Pike county, Mo., where he served during the pioneer 
days as a captain of militia.  Though he possessed few opportunities for a 
schooling, he had by extensive reading, aided by a remarkable memory, acquired 
a broad and useful general education.  He died in Grant county in 1892, aged 
eighty-six years.  Among the cherished heirlooms which he left to his posterity 
was a sword, carried by one of his ancestors, in the days of Cromwell's 
Roundheads, and which also did service in the American revolution.  His wife as 
a native of Shelby Co., Ky.  Their eight children, four sons and four 
daughters, were Martha (Mrs. C. M. JACKSON); Euphenia (Mrs. UTT); William; 
James, who died in his youth; Calvin; Carlos; Lenora (Mrs. BALDWIN, deceased), 
and Mary Frank (Mrs. BROOKS).  Mrs. Martha (BONHAM) JACKSON, the wife of our 
subject, died Nov. 6, 1880, aged forty-nine years.
 
To Christopher M. and Martha JACKSON were born eleven children, of whom two 
died in childhood.  The others were Anna Eliza, who married M. L. SPAULDING, 
and died in 1890, aged forty-one years; Lura Jane, who married W. H. HUNT, and 
resides in Platteville, Wis.; Matilda Jeannette, who married Adolph KINNEY, and 
resides in St. Paul, Minn.; Adella May, who died April 25, 1895; Minnie Eva, 
who died April 15, 1893; Martha Lincoln, of Potosi; Myrtle Belle, who married 
Herman OTT, of Preston, Minn.; William Christopher, of Wilton, N. D.; and 
Jessie Frances, who married S. H. HEDGES, of Chicago.  Mr. JACKSON has also 
fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  He is spending his declining 
years in one of the most pleasant homes in the village, where his comfort is 
carefully looked after by his daughter, Martha L.  Mr. JACKSON cast his first 
presidential vote for Zachariah Taylor in 1848.  Since the Republican party 
came into existence he has been one of its stanchest supports, though never a 
candidate for any official position.  He has always taken a deep interest in 
the development of Potosi, and he has been a prominent factor in its material 
advancement.  Though for some years past, physical disabilities have prevented 
his active participation in business affairs his mind is still active, and he 
is by no means indifferent to the progress which is being made in his locality, 
as well as in the world at large. 
 
Submitted by:  Carol
(carolannh@ticon.net)