The Jackson Family papers span 1850 to 2006, documenting three generations. It is important to note that in order to avoid confusion between the four generations of William S. Jackson, the designation of I, II, III or IV has been added throughout the finding aid. The donor was consulted and approved the decision. The collection is organized in chronological order beginning with William S. Jackson [I], who arrived in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the 1871. Although the amount of material generated by William S. Jackson [I] retained in the collection is minimal, it provides insight into the foundation of the second generation of Jacksons who were born and raised in Colorado Springs. William S. Jackson [II] and his siblings, Helen, Edith, Roland, Everett and Gardner led active and diverse lives.
The bulk of the collection comprises documents generated by William S. Jackson [II] legal career and his investments. His career as a lawyer, agent for the Department of Criminal Investigation, and Colorado Supreme Court Justice is well represented in the collection. The materials related to his involvement with numerous organizations exemplify Jackson’s activities in both his professional and personal life. In addition, the series of his personal papers includes extensive correspondence between himself and members of the family. The volume of letters generated, provide insight into the family relationships and its history. It also documents the extensive investments that were passed on from generation to generation.
William S. Jackson [II] siblings’ papers primarily record their personal lives, although Edith and Gardner Jackson’s contain a limited amount of papers that record their careers. The amount of papers in the series on Roland and Everett are minimal, due in part to their early deaths.
The papers in the William S. Jackson [III] Series 22 are also expansive. The material records both his career as a financial advisor, his personal life and his role as financial planner for the family members and historian. William S. Jackson [III] papers also reflect his involvement with organizations on a professional and personal basis. His diverse interests and concerns are echoed in the number of organizations Jackson [III] actively participated in and continues to support. The organizations include: Denver Association of Mental Health, Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, Seventh Avenue Association, Denver Art Museum and the Pioneer’s Museum.
William S. Jackson [III] siblings’ papers, Anne Fiske Jackson Wilhelm and Jean Jackson Wilhelm Emery papers comprise a portion of the collection. Although the amount of material is small, the personal correspondence reflects their relationship with William S. Jackson [III] and the family.
The collection also contains the papers of additional family members and in-laws from the late 1800s to current (2003). The amount of material is limited for many of these individuals but it does reflect the relationships between the generations of family members and friends. William S. Jackson’s [III] donation to the Denver Public Library of the family’s financial records, correspondence, memorabilia and photographs he accumulated, document the history of three generations of a Colorado pioneer family.
