James Everts Jackson came to Texas from Missouri with his father, John Jackson, mother, four brothers , and four sisters. Being a single male over 17 years of age, he was granted 320 acres in the Peters Colony at the southwest corner of what is now Audelia Road and Walnut, the present site of Richland College. During the first year, the Jacksons lived in true pioneer style, killing game, which was plentiful, and making trips to near the Red River (probably Bonham) for bread-stuff. After the first year, they made good crops.
James E. was born in Blount County, Tennessee, on 1 April 1826, moving from there to Missouri with his family after December 1838. On 10 January 1850 he married Diana Jane Davis, the daughter of Henson Cole and Sally Parrish Davis. He was born 14 February 1831 in Harrison County (now West Virginia).
After marriage, he improved his own claim and by 1863 had 100 acres under cultivation, a number of horses and other stock. In that year he enlisted in the Confederate Army, Captain Stratton’s Company, Stone’s regiment, and saw service in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. He received slight wounds and was never captured. At the end of the war he was mustered out in Houston, returned home, and resumed farming. In 1867 a tornado destroyed his barns and much of his stock, but his family escaped injury.
James E. and Diana helped each of their surviving six children to good farms, all within three miles of his old homeplace. Their children were: 1) Andrew Clark born 30 November 1850, died 9 June 1865. Died as a teenager. 2) Ardelia Ellen born 17 April 1853, died 24 February 1899; married (1) John Chenault and married (2) John Frederick West, born 10 February 1852, who ran a store at the corner of Audelia and Forest Lane which hge named for his wife Ardelia. In time the spelling was changed to Audelia. Their children were Mildred Elizabeth, Diana Jane, Marry Ellen and Lucy N., who died 8 days old. 3) Henson Coleman born 19 March 1855, died 9 June 1925, buried Tarrant County, near Grapevine, leaving no descendants. He sold his farm at Buckingham and Audelia. 4) John Thomas born 15 March 1857, died 29 May 1936; married 16 December 1883 in Dallas County Sophia Savannah Lane born 22 April 1865, died 15 March 1916. His farm was at the southeast corner of Audelia and Walnut and included the old home of James and Diana Jane on the west side of Audelia. Their children were Pearl M., died 2 years old and Lula M. 5) Benjamin James born 5 July 1859, died 26 March 1937; married 21 January 1897 in Dallas County, Euberia Rippy burn 31 January 1874, died 23 July 1968. Their farm was on the north side of Forest Lane east of Audelia. Children Atrice Earl, Virgil Curtis and Cecil. 6) Jefferson Davis born 24 February 1862, died 24 September 1941; married 7 November 1886 in Dallas County, Chaney Isadora Lane born 2 February 1868, died 2 July 1963. Dora was a sister of Sophia. They farmed east side of Audelia north of Forest Lane. Their children were Luther James, Ethel and Florence Elizabeth. Caleb William born 4 June 1866, died 20 October 1949; married 27 April 1890 in Dallas County, Eva Green Crosby born 1 September 1872, died 22 December 1937. His farm was part of his father’s original grant. Their nine children were Willaford Everts, John Henson, Annie Jewel, Benjamin Coleman, Jimmie Earnest, Fannie Mae, Mamie Ruth (died 2 months), Winnie Bea, and Mary Brouilette.
After a lifetime of agricultural pursuits, James Everts Jackson died 16 December 1903 on his original grant of 57 years. Diuana Jane died 20 December 1908. Both are buried in the McCree Cemetery.
by Everts E. Jackson, Richardson
from “Proud Heritage, Pioneer Families of Dallas County, Vol. 1,” Dallas County Pioneer Association, not currently in print.
