Background
Jackson was born on September 15, 1860, in Deltaville, Virginia. His mother, Anna Boss, born on the same plantation, and his father, James Henry Jackson, a Marylander, belonged to the Tidewater aristocracy.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Charles Samuel Jackson
Edit ProfileEducation
Jackson's formal education included no more than the common school branches, supplemented by a course in a business college.
Career
Jackson's publishing career began at the age of sixteen with the purchase of a small printing press, upon which he printed cards and handbills. In 1880, with just enough money to pay the cost of transportation, he set out by train for San Francisco and from there went by steamboat to Oregon. He found his first employment as agent for the Utah, Oregon, & Idaho Stage Company at Pendleton, Oregon, a position that ended with the coming of the railroad in 1882. In the meantime, he established a circulating library in the stage office and bought an interest in the local paper, the East Oregonian, of which he at length became the sole owner, changing it from a weekly to a semi-weekly, and in 1888 to a daily. Jackson was attracted to Portland in 1902 by the opportunity to acquire ownership of the Portland Evening Journal, a paper launched in March of that year during the heat of a political campaign, and tottering on the brink of failure when Jackson took it over in July. He changed its name to the Oregon Daily Journal and began his editorship with the avowal that "the Journal in head and heart will stand for the people. " He continued in active control until January 1, 1920, during which time the number of subscribers increased from 1, 800 to 92, 000, and a building and equipment worth close to a million dollars were added. At the time the Journal was established, the Morning Oregonian was without a rival in the daily newspaper field, and the former was the first paper successfully to challenge the latter's supremacy. A few days before his death, which occured on December 27, 1924, Jackson donated to the State of Oregon a tract of eighty-nine acres on Marquam Hill, which now bears the name "Sam Jackson Park, " to be used by the University School of Medicine, adjacent to which it lies.
Achievements
Politics
In his politics, Jackson was described as "independent with leanings towards the most democratic form of government. " The Morning Oregonian became a recognized organ of the Democratic party and a supporter of its candidates. It furthered such social, political, and economic reforms as the "Oregon System" of initiative and referendum - over which it assumed special sponsorship - direct primary, popular election of senators, recall, and the presidential preference primary, woman's suffrage, the eight-hour day for women workers, child-welfare legislation, the income tax, and the commission plan of government for Portland.
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
A contemporary opposed to most of the reforms that Jackson advocated portrays him as combining "the traits of rugged Andrew Jackson, droll Mark Twain, and talkative Jim-Ham Lewis . .. It is in obstinate, old-fashioned, uncompromising democcracy - love of the uncouth masses - that 'Sam' Jackson resembles Andrew Jackson. Also, in his rough and ready way of attacking anything that is big, important, and established. Also, in his square jaw and rugged features. " This writer further describes him as "a great, big, rugged, queer, comical character, exactly where he belongs, making money . .. donating it lavishly to causes that strike his fancy. " The same writer says: "He possessed the faculty of splitting his editorial mind from his business mind as effectively as if the editor and the businessmanager were two distinct personalities. The advertisers counted for nothing so far as influence on editorial policy of the Journal was concerned. "
Connections
On March 9, 1886, Jackson married Maria Foster Clopton.
References
-
Born
-
Died
February 27, 1924 (aged 63) -
Nationality
American -
Political Party
Democratic