Person:Joel Jackson (11)

Fremont Weekly Journal, 14 Dec 1860 MARRIED In Clyde, on the 6th, by Rev. J.R. Brown, Joel R. Jackson, of Sandusky, and Miss Ann M. Stone, of West Townsend, Sandusky county.

Green Springs Echo, Thurs. 2 Apr 1903

J.R. Jackson, the blind piano tuner of Sandusky and who was well know in this village, was found dead in his bed one day last week. Mr. Jackson's relatives formerly lived here and he made frequent visit to Greenspring.

Clyde Enterprise, (Sandusky Co., Ohio) Thurs, 2 Apr 1903 Joel R. Jackson

Brief Sketch of the Blind Musician's Busy Life

"Joel R. Jackson, know everywhere as 'Blind Jackson,' is dead. His lifeless body was found Monday morning is a room at Storck's hotel, where he made his home. The end came very suddenly, but he died as he always wished he might, easily.

"His health had been failing him all winter and he waited patiently for his death. Up to Sunday, however, he was able to be about the city. On that day he was out a considerable length of time and although he complained of feeling badly, his ailment at this particular time was considered not serious. He retired as usual. Monday when Mrs. Storck called him he failed to respond, and when she entered the room found the body. The remains were later removed to the Marquart morgue.

"Joel R. Jackson born in Seneca county* on a farm 12 mile south of Clyde. His father was a Baptist clergyman. He lost his sight, or more strictly speaking, the sight of one eye, when about 10 years of age. Through treatment by inexperienced surgeons, probably, the sight of the other eye was destroyed also, so he was really totally blind from the time he was 12 years old.

"He was taken to an institution for blind at Columbus, where he received his musical education and learned to read by touch. He had great natural musical ability and the instruction which he received at the state institution enabled him to earn an independent livelihood for himself and his family.

"His ability as a pianist and a tuner of pianos has called to him attention from person of all cities. For a number of years he was organist of the Congregational church. That a man, absolutely unable to see, could dissect and again place together a piece of machinery as complicated as a piano is certainly marvelous, yet 'Blind Jackson' has performed this feat time and time again.

"He first came to this city in 1855, and opened a store where he sold pianos and other musical instruments. Not until ten years later, however did he permanently reside in this city. At that time he removed his belongings here and has been a Sanduskian since.

"The ease with which he walked about the streets of not only Sandusky, but other cities, guided only by a cane, was wonderful. He was a man of determination and even in his apparently helpless condition was bent on business and he walked the entire city to work at his chosen profession. Somewhat proud, he has been known to refuse aid proffered him, saying he was all right and could get along with no help.

"He has been an ardent spiritualist all his life and made no secret of his belief that communication with the spirit world was possible and proper.

"By his wife, four children, three sons and one daughter were born: Irving, of this city, Starr of Milwaukee, George C. of Akron and Mrs. W.C. Kilbourn of Akron.

"He was in his 71st year. Mrs. Jackson preceded him to the grave.

"The funeral will be held this afternoon at 3:30 at the morgue, the services to be conducted by Dr. A.W. Wadsworth, president of the Ohio State Spiritualist' Association."--Sandusky Register.

[The remains were buried in McPherson cemetery at Clyde Wednesday, March 18. They were accompanied here by his sons and many friends and relatives paid a last tribute of respect by witnessing the last sad scene.--Ed. Enterprise.]

• A view of a map of Sandusky and Seneca counties is here. Green Springs is a little south of Clyde and just over the county line into Seneca County: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~shastaca/maps/OH/OH13map.html

1.   Robbins, Oscar Burton. History of the Jackson family of Hempstead, Long Island, N.Y., Ohio and Indiana: descendants of Robert and Agnes Washburn Jackson. (Loveland, Colo.: Robbins, 1951)
   86.
2.   Obituary.

   His obit is in his notes.