Judge William Lowther Jackson

William Lowther Jackson BIRTH 12 Aug 1854 Saint Marys, Pleasants County, West Virginia, USA DEATH 29 Dec 1895 (aged 41) Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA BURIAL Cave Hill Cemetery Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93622295/william-lowther-jackson

From the Biographical Cyclopedia of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Chicago: John M. Gresham, 1896, p. 354-5.

http://www.jacksonbrigade.com/descendants-of-william-lowther-jackson/

William Lowther Jackson III

William Lowther Jackson, deceased, late judge of the criminal division of the Jefferson Circuit Court of Louisville, was born in St. Mary’s, (now West) Virginia, August 12, 1854, and died December 29, 1895. He was the youngest child of Judge William L. Jackson and Sarah (Creel) Jackson.

He secured his education in the public schools of Louisville, graduating from the high school in June, 1875; was valedictorian of his class, and was one of the brightest and best informed young men who have been educated in that school. While engaged in his studies, he laid the foundation for the great popularity, which distinguished him in after years. He began the study of law in 1876, graduated from the Louisville Law School in 1887, and at once began the practice of his profession, in which he had a most successful career until May 19, 1890, when he was inducted into the office of judge of the old Jefferson Circuit Court, and in November, 1892, was elected judge of the criminal division of the Jefferson Circuit Court—which, under the new constitution, succeeded the old Jefferson Circuit Court—and this office he held until his death, which occurred at his home after a long and painful illness, December 29, 1895.

For three consecutive terms—1881 to 1886—he was a member of the house of representatives in the Kentucky legislature, and served with great distinction on the judiciary, the revenue and taxation, and other committees.

Returning from his duties in the legislature, he formed a partnership with Mr. Zack Phelps, and they were joined later by Mr. J. T. O’Neal, making one of the strongest legal firms in the city or state. Judge Jackson remained with these gentlemen until the death of his father, when he was appointed to succeed him on the bench. He accepted that office with reluctance and at a personal sacrifice, as he had a most valuable practice.

Few men have a greater faculty of making friends and keeping them than Judge Jackson had, and he had all of the requirements of the successful lawyer and politician, but he was eminently qualified by training, study and natural aptitude for the higher duties of the judge, and he filled that office with ability and with such fidelity that he was frequently in his place on the bench when his sufferings from a lurking disease were so great that his physicians were compelled to interfere with his strong will and order him to abandon his work for some months before his death. Even against the protests of his friends and physicians, he insisted on being carried to the court room in a chair, and he frequently performed his duty as judge while suffering excruciating pain.

He was a man of firm, honest purpose, and successfully carried out his plans and purposes, overcoming all difficulties until he was compelled to yield to the hand of death. His popularity was shown in his last illness by the vast numbers who offered him and his family the sincere sympathy and condolence of loving friends and associates.

He was an able lawyer, a wise statesman, and honest judge, an honored citizen, a dutiful son, a devoted husband and a loving father.

His father, Judge William L. Jackson, Sr., was a native of (now West) Virginia, in which state he was judge of the Nineteenth Judicial District; second auditor of the state, and lieutenant governor. He came to Louisville January 1, 1866, and was a successful practitioner at the bar until January, 1873, when he was appointed judge of the old Jefferson Circuit Court by Governor T. H. Leslie. He was elected to succeed himself, and was re-elected again and again, holding his office until his death in 1892 [1890]. His wife was a daughter of Alexander H. and Lucy (Neal) Creel. Her father was distinguished for his intellectual attainments. Her mother came from the Lewis family, and the Lewises and Neals owned what was called Washington’s Bottom, near Blennerhassett Island, and took an active part in Revolutionary annals.