Biography

1806–62, governor of Missouri, b. Fleming co., Ky. In 1822 he moved to Missouri, where he practiced law. Speaker of the state legislature (1844–46), he later was a leader of the pro-slavery Democrats who eventually defeated Sen. Thomas H. Benton. Elected governor in 1860, Jackson recommended the calling of the state convention that voted against both secession and coercion of the South (1861). He attempted to arm the state militia from the federal arsenal in St. Louis but was frustrated by Francis P. Blair (1821–75) and Nathaniel Lyon. Lincoln’s request for troops was refused by Jackson, who characterized the Union cause as an “unholy crusade.” Upon Lyon’s seizure of Camp Jackson, the governor called for volunteers but was forced to withdraw with them to SW Missouri. When the convention, assuming constituent powers, deposed the state government, Jackson, at Neosho, convened an ineffective rump legislature (1862).

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