Ocean Springs

Several years before he retired to Biloxi, Dr. Absalom Jackson and his small family resided at Ocean Springs, Mississippi, a small resort community, on the east side of the Bay of Biloxi.  Here in June 1894, Dr. Jackson leased and managed the Ocean Springs Hotel.  Charles L. Dyer in Along The Gulf (1895), lauded The Jacksons’ management of this resort as follows:

They have the best accommodations for excursionists, commercial travelers and families, and, as Ocean Springs is unsurpassed for healthfulness, being free from epidemics, etc. it makes one of the prettiest spots on the coast at which to pass a vacation.  Guests of the hotel can be served with mineral water from the famous marble springs controlled by them...

Dr. Ab Jackson renewed his lease for another year as indicated by this line in The Pascagoula Democrat-Star of October 11, 1895:  Dr. A. Jackson has leased that popular hostelry, the Ocean Springs Hotel, which will continue under his excellent management for another year.

In late February 1898, Dr. W.C. Jackson, a prominent medical practitioner at Montgomery, and a brother of Dr. Ab Jackson, visited him at the Ocean Springs Hotel.  (The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, February 25, 1898, p. 3)

After leaving the Ocean Springs Hotel, probably after the fall season of 1898, Dr. and Mrs. Jackson relocated to the Mobile area operating the Spring Hotel in 1900.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, February 2, 1900, p. 3)  This is corroborated somewhat by the fact that in November 1898, Dr. Jackson’s son, Ab Jackson III, went to Mobile employed with the YMCA as a stenographer.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, February 25, 1898, p. 3) 

New management arrived at the old hostelry on Biloxi Bay, in May 1899, when F.M. Allen of Chicago took control of the Ocean Springs Hotel.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, May 26, 1899, p. 3)           

 

Biloxi

In October 1903, Absalom Jackson II located to the Mexican Gulf, resort town of Biloxi, Mississippi.  Initially, the Jacksons were guest of Colonel Harrison Smith Hyatt (1833-1906), a New York native and solicitor formerly of Ocean Springs.  Here he practiced dentistry.(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, November 6, 1903, p. 3)

 

The Election

In July 1910, Dr. Ab Jackson entered the political arena at Biloxi.  He ran to represent the people of the 2^nd Ward, as their city alderman.  A local journal related the following about Ab Jackson’s political advent:   

 

Dr. A. Jackson is well known to the voters of Biloxi.  For the past nine years he has been a resident of the city, engaged in the practice of his profession-dentistry.  Prior to coming to Biloxi he successfully conducted for eight years the Ocean Springs Hotel, since destroyed by fire, and during its existence one of the largest institutions of its kind on the Coast.  Should Dr. Jackson be elected he will no doubt prove a valuable member of that body.(The Ocean Springs News, July 23, 1910, p. 1)

 

he Biloxi Democratic Party held its first primary elections on August 22, 1910.  Dr. Jackson faced E.H. Benedict and Frank B. Castanera (1870-1934).  He place third receiving 28% of the ballots cast, but qualified for the second primary race against Mr. Castanera.(The Daily Herald, August 23, 1910, p. 1)

Dr. Jackson withdrew from the race, only days before the second Democratic primary was held on August 29, 1910.  He gave no explanation for his quitting the contest against Mr. Castanera who was declared the winner.  Age could have been a factor, as Dr. Jackson was approaching seventy years.(The Daily Herald, August 30, 1910, p. 1)

 

Death

Dr. Jackson and his wife both died at Biloxi in the care of their son, Ab Jackson III, who resided at 124 West Beach.  Laura Scott Jackson expired on January 5, 1922.  After funeral services at her son’s residence, her corporal remains were sent via the L&N Railroad to Auburn, Alabama for perpetual internment.  At Biloxi, Mrs. Jackson was a dedicated Methodist and attended services and worked diligently at the Main Street Methodist Church.  In addition, she commenced the first chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy at Biloxi.  At the time of her demise, Dr. Jackson was residing at Bayou La Batre, Alabama.(The Daily Herald, January 5, 1922, p. 4)

 

Dr. Ab Jackson followed his spouse in death on October 28, 1925.  Like his spouse, his corporal remains were sent by the L&N Railroad to Auburn, Alabama for internment.(B-O’K Bk. 14, p. 3 and The Daily Herald, October 28, 1925, p. 1)

 

His great grandson, Glenn Andrews II of Anniston, Alabama, relates that Ab Jackson II was buried in his Confederate States of America military uniform.  Dr. Jackson vowed that if the South lost the Civil War that he would never shave his face.  Needless to say, he died with a very long beard!(Glenn Andrews II, August 3, 2001)

 

Absalom Jackson III (1879-1959)

Absalom Jackson III was known in Harrison County, Mississippi as Absalom Jackson Sr. He was born on March 16, 1879 at Auburn, Alabama, the son of Absalom Jackson II and Laura Scott.  Ab Jackson III married Willie Houston Miller.  Their children were: Absalom Jackson IV (1909-1976) and Ethel Jackson Andrews (1911-2001), the spouse of Glenn Andrews, of Anniston, Alabama.(HARCO, Ms. Chancery Court Cause No. 41,571-1960)

 

Ab Jackson Sr. made his livelihood as a hotelier and entrepreneur.  At various stages in his career, he had managed the Union Hotel at Meridian, Mississippi, the Cawthorn Hotel in Mobile, and the Bienville Hotel of New Orleans.  He had other affiliations with the Lessee Scoville Hotel in Atlanta and Chattanooga’s Ester Hotel.  Mr. Jackson had also been the auditor for The Battle House at Mobile.  At Mobile, he also commenced the Marine Supply Company.  In addition, Ab Jackson III had been employed by the Federal government’s income tax division in Washington D.C.(The Daily Herald August 22, 1959, p. 2)

 

Prior to his hotel career, Ab Jackson III had matriculated to the Alabama Polytechnical Institute, now called Auburn University, for his education.  Jackson’s military service was highlighted by his participation in the Spanish American War of 1898.  At Auburn, he had been an Alpha Tau Omega.  Mr. Jackson was an honorary member of the SCS Society in Mobile, Sons of Confederate veterans, and worshipped with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.(Ibid., p. 2) 

 

Ab Jackson III expired at the Wayside Rest Home at 113 Davis Avenue in Long Beach, Mississippi on August 22, 1959.  His corporal remains were sent to the Oakwood Cemetery at Montgomery, Alabama for eternal rest.(Bradford-O’Keefe Burial Book 42, p. 138)

 

 

Absalom Jackson IV (1909-1976)

Absalom Jackson IV was born on November 9, 1909, at Mobile, Alabama, the son of Absalom Jackson III and William "Willie" and "Bill" Houston Miller.  In 1941, he married Edythe Glass (b. 1915?-1976+), a Californian.  They had two children: Grace Tyler Jackson Dotterer and Absalom Jackson V.  The Jacksons divorced in April 1960, at Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.  In 1974, Ab Jackson IV married Yalye Leiton-Reyes of San Jose, Costa Rica.  He expired in the Central American capitol on July 16, 1976. .(HARCO, Ms. 2^nd JD Chancery Court Cause No. 6041-1976)

 

Ab Jackson IV attended Biloxi public schools.  He graduated with the Biloxi High Class of 1927 on June 3, 1927, as valedictorian.  Ab compiled a 92 average in his scholastic work, which was three points higher than the salutatorian, Grace Watson.  For his efforts, he was awarded an academic scholarship to Tulane University at New Orleans.  Mr. Jackson declined the honor, as his desire was to attend Princeton University of the Ivy League.(The Daily Herald, June 3, 1927) 

 

During the commencement exercises of June 3, 1927, Ab Jackson delivered the valedictory address.  His speech related that the seniors had certain regrets about leaving school and that companions of twelve years were about to drift away on the winds of fate.   In addition, he emphasized that they would be alone now as their comradeship was ending.  The class was at a crossroads in their life, soon to part for a new life.  At the ceremony, Professor Ditto presented Ab Jackson the second place chemistry medal for his essay in the State contest.(The Daily Herald, June 4, 1927)

 

Ab Jackson matriculated to Princeton University in New Jersey, and graduated with high honors.  While at Princeton, he was a member of the Cloister Inn Club.  After college, Mr. Jackson relocated to the Crescent City where he found employment with the public relations department of the City of New Orleans.  Ab Jackson also worked for the International House, the National Bank of New Orleans, and served as secretary of the Louisiana Restaurant Association.(The Sun Herald, July 18, 1976, p. A-2)

 

In his holography written in 1975, Mr. Jackson appointed his daughter, Tyler Dotterer of Yorba Linda, California, as the executrix of his estate.  His real property was divided amongst his spouse and children.  Ab Jackson IV also requested that his corporal remains be sent to the Oakwood Cemetery at Montgomery, Alabama for internment. (HARCO, Ms. 2^nd JD Chancery Court Cause No. 6041-1976)           

 

According to his nephew, Glenn Andrews II (b. 1940), Mrs. Jackson’s corporal remains were interred in Costa Rica.(Glenn Andrews II, August 3, 2001)

 

 

Mr. Jackson’s real estate at Biloxi consisted of his old family home, the former Palmer House at             West Beach, and several lots in Jackson County, Mississippi.  Ethel Jackson Andrews, his sister and spouse of Glenn Andrews, owned an undivided one-half interest these properties.  Ethel Jackson Andrews expired on February 4, 2001, at Anniston, Calhoun, County, Alabama.(SSDI)

 

Absalom Jackson V

A resident of Clermont, California in 1974.  His sister, Grace Tyler Dotterer married Ivan Dotterer, circa 1969.  They resided at 17351 Lawndale Place, Yorba Linda, California 92686 in 1976.(HARCO, Ms. 2^nd JD Chancery Court Cause No. 6041-1976)           

 

In 2001, Ab Jackson V resides at 3517 Chartres Street in New Orleans.  He is a sculptor and potter.  Ab is also a musician and writer.  His nom de plume is David Nash and in recent years has preferred to be known as such.  Tyler J. Dotterer is a Duke University Mathematics graduate.  She and her husband worked in the aerospace industry in California, prior to their recent retirement.  They are now traveling the continental United States via motorhome.(Glenn Andrews II, August 2, 2001)

 

REFERENCES:

Bradford O-Keefe Burial Book 11,“Laura Scott Jackson”, (Biloxi Public Library: Biloxi, Mississippi)

Bradford-O’Keefe Burial Book 14,“Ab Jackson Sr.”, (Biloxi Public Library: Biloxi, Mississippi)

Bradford-O’Keefe Burial Book 42, “Ab Jackson Jr.”, (Biloxi Public Library: Biloxi, Mississippi)

Charles L. Dyer,Along The Gulf, (Trinity

 

Chancery Court Causes

Harrison County, Mississippi Chancery Court Cause No. 41, 571, “The Estate of Absalom Jackson Sr”, September 1960.

Harrison County, Mississippi 2^nd Judicial District Chancery Court Cause No. 6041, “The Estate of Absalom Jackson IV”, 1976.

Journals

The Daily Herald, “Interesting Primary Election in Biloxi”, August 23, 1910.

The Daily herald, “Elmer and Swanzy are Nominated”, August 30, 1910.

The Daily Herald,“Beloved Woman Passes Away”, January 5, 1922.

The Daily Herald, “Confederate Soldier Dies”, October 28, 1925.

The Daily Herald, “Biloxi High Commencement”, June 3, 1927.

The Daily Herald, “Wonderful Program Marks Biloxi High Graduation”, June 4, 1927.

The Daily Herald, “Long Illness Fatal To Ab. Jackson Sr.”, August 22, 1959.

The PascagoulaDemocrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, October 11, 1895:

The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, February 25, 1898.

The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”,

The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, November 25, 1898.

The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, May 26, 1899.

The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”,

The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, February 2, 1900.

The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, “Ocean Springs Locals”, November 6, 1903.

The Ocean Springs News, “Dr. Jackson Goes Into Politics in Biloxi”, July 23, 1910.

The Sun Herald, “Ab Jackson”, July 8, 1976, p. A-2.

 

Personal Communication:

Glenn Andrews II-telephone conversation on August 3, 2001.