William Jackson

William Jackson was born on September 2, 1842, at Batavia, New York. Not much is known of his early life. He moved to Wayne, Michigan in 1861, where he found work as a laborer.

William Jackson enlisted in Company D on August 13, 1864 at Detroit. He was mustered into service with the company on same day. The New Yorker was only 20.

His early service was apparently without incident, much more is know about his activities in the last two years of the war, however. He was slightly wounded by a gunshot wound in the wrist at Laurel Hill (Spottsylvania Courthouse) either on May 10 or May 12, 1864 (accounts differ). He was again wounded at the North Anna River on May 28, 1864, this time by a shell wound in the right side.

After recovering from his second wound, William returned to duty with the Regiment. He was sent on detached duty from Camp Butler, Illinois in March 1865 to take bounty jumpers and deserters back to the front. He was furloughed from New York about that time for ten days, returning to the Regiment at Springfield Illinois. In recognition of his excellent service, he was promoted to Corporal on April 1, 1865. William muster out with the Regiment at Detroit on June 30, 1865.

After returning to Wayne, William courted Nettie Pitcher. The young couple was married on April 22, 1868. They would eventually have five children: Frank A., Daisy G., Julia M., Juliette M., and William H. In the years after the war, William Jackson became involved in railroading.

He was actively involved in veterans affairs after the war. He was a member of the Reuben Cory Post No. 261 G. A. R., which he served as chaplain. He attended "Michigan Day at Gettysburg" in 1889. Mrs. Jackson was also involved in veteran's affairs, and served as guard, conductor, and vice-president of the Cory Women's Reserve Corps, No. 45.

William Jackson died on January 12, 1900, and is buried in the Wayne Cemetery. He is buried in the family plot, near his father, reportedly in an unmarked grave.

William Jackson

Much of the information for this biography is courtesy of the Wayne Historical Museum. Used with permission.