247

proclamation, in 1861, for 75,000 men. The company was not accepted, the state

quota being filled, and he did not enlist again.

Through the decades of his residence in Rock Island Mr. Jackson had been

tireless in his efforts for the common good through improving in every way the

city

‘

s park system. That it has come to be as fine a system as that of the parks of

any American city of Rock Island

‘

s size, while not due entirely to his efforts, is

nevertheless in great part attributable to the spirit he had shown and the energy

he had expended to make it so.

Pushed Park Work

His title,

―

father of the Rock Island park system,

‖

refers to the fact that he was

the head of the original Citizens

‘

Improvement association. As such he

inaugurated the movement for park development. Through the furthering of the

plans he proposed, in which project he labored indefatigably, Spencer Square

and Garnsey Square were transformed from bogs, neglected and avoided, into

garden spots fitted with handsome accessories and adorned with turf, flowers,

shrubs, and trees. He alone raised $6000 for the improvement of Spencer square,

and obtained practically all of the features that distinguish it. He gave the

incentive for what was done in a similar way for Garnsey square. As president of

the park board, which office he held until his death, and in cooperation with

other public spirited citizens, he raised most of the $16,000 which was

contributed for the beautification of Long View park. The improvements were

made under his immediate direction, and for all time the name of Jackson will be

associated with the park system of Rock Island.

Above left: The mark of Edward Todd & Co.; Above right: E. T. & Co. on the

Master Blade.