Last Updated on October 19, 2011 by
Ira B. Jackson, insurance agent, Mattoon; was born in Madison, Jefferson Co., Ind., Oct. 31, 1851; in 1855, his father removed with his family to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon Co., near Springfield; his early life was that of a farmer’s boy; he acquired a good common-school education; at the age of 18, he engaged in the business of photograph artist, which he followed two years; in 1872, he completed a business course in the Commercial College, at Terre Haute, Ind.; in 1874, he engaged in the grocery trade with Fallin Bros., under the firm name of Fallin Bros. & Jackson; in 1876, he retired from the firm and engaged in the fire insurance business; he at present represents one accident and sixteen leading fire insurance companies in Coles and Effingham Cos., aggregating in assets over $30,000,000 ;he also represents the Great Western Dispatch Co. He was married May 26, 1874, to Laura I. Carter, a native of Indiana; has one child-Georgia. He is at present, serving his second term of office as City and also Township Clerk.