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Over ninety (90) individuals attended the Jackson Reunion in Parkersburg, West Virginia. We had a grand time with beautiful weather, lots of yummy food, a great program and much mingling.
Friday, August 6: On Friday, there was a pre-reunion gathering at Ann and Dan Fissel's home in Cairo, West Virginia.
After registration and a noon lunch, a group of more than fifty people departed caravan-style for a trip to the nearby community of Cisco. The first stop on the tour was Pribble Cemetery, the remotely-located burial place of three of Henry Jackson's children, Henry J., Elizabeth P. and Amanda M. Jackson, and many of their descendants. John M. Jackson spoke to the group about those who were buried there and how the Pribbles and Jacksons were closely aligned, the two Jackson sisters having married two Pribble brothers. Chester Pribble then spoke about the Pribble family and pioneer life in the area. John pointed out the marker which had just been set the day before by Rick Gibbs and Charles Marshall for Confederate Veteran Henry J. Pribble.
The group then stopped at the original Henry J. Jackson home, now owned by Gene and Karen Jackson, on WV state route 47 near Cisco. Gene and Karen opened the house to the group and had a display of family photos and papers on the dining room table. A group photo was taken in front of the barn.
Next, the tour stopped at the home of Henry L. "Cisko" Jackson, for whom the small community of Cisco is named. Today, the house is home to Steve and Betty Curfman, who have an art studio there. John told the group about Cisko, his daughter Jane, and a little about the area's history and geology. Near here was the only natural asphalt mine in the U. S. and a lot of early oil development. Mrs. Curfman provided refreshments and a tour through the home. Afterward, several people bought pieces of Mr. Curfman's art.
Proceeding back toward Cairo, the caravan stopped at a Hughes River crossing near the site of the Hugh Pribble Jr. farm, where Chester Pribble reminisced about his family, rural life, and learning to swim there in the river.
The group continued on the Cairo-Cisco Road to the Marshall home, which had been opened by Charles and Laveda Marshall. Charles gave a tour through the house and refreshments were provided. The afternoon was moving quickly along, so it was decided to bring the tour to a close. While a few people stayed to visit the Marshall Cemetery, most returned to Cairo and took some time to explore the town including the historic Marshall Hardware (founded by Jackson descendant R. C. Marshall) on their own before returning to the Fissels' for supper.
The Hyde family consisting of Dan, his wife Mary Jane and 14 year old Scott arrived later in the afternoon and missed the Cairo-Cisco tour.
Scott and Dan walked the North Bend Trail that runs in back of Ann and Dan's home to the village of Cairo (maybe an eighth of a mile).
In the evening after the touring group returned from cemetery hopping, Ann treated us to a supper of North Carolina-style pulled pork barbecue sandwiches and fixin's. Ann smoked the pork herself. We had beautiful weather and a very pleasant time chatting with others.
Around 8 PM, a bunch of us left to go to our motels in Parkersburg.
Professor Bernard L. Allen, formerly of West Virginia University-Parkersburg, delivered a brief talk on the Parkersburg Jacksons and their role in early local gas and oil development. Following breakfast, we departed on a tour of historic family-related sites in Parkersburg, which included a re-dedication ceremony for the James M. Jackson bust/fountain in courthouse square. Following the ceremony, Dr. Allen led a short walking tour of the courthouse area.
After lunch at the Third Street Deli, we toured the Lily Irene Jackson art exhibit at the Parkersburg Art Center and had a guided tour of the Riverview Cemetery where many of the Parkersburg Jacksons are buried. The Hydes drove to Parkersburg City Park to see and photgraph the Jackson Memorial Fountain.
In the evening, we re-assembled in the community building in Jackson Park, Vienna, for a catered banquet. John C. Jackson, alias "Johnny Reb," was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
After dinner, Nancy Jackson, our president, asked the Jackson Brigade Board members present - Vice president John C. Jackson, Treasurer Linda Brake Meyers, Secretary Ann Fissel, Publications Editor John M. Jackson, and Web Master Dan Hyde - to come forward and she presented tokens of appreciation from the Jackson Brigade to them. Nancy also presented "Presidential Awards" to Linda, Dan and John M. for their long service and dedication.
General Stonewall Jackson was in the person of George Moor, from MacDill AFB, Florida. The General spoke to us regarding the influences of Napoleon Bonaparte and Margaret Junkin Preston on his own philosophical underpinnings. Following General Jackson's talk and a selection of fiddle tunes by Connie Bookman, George spoke to us briefly on General Jackson's four different uniforms, hats, sabers and horses.
At noon, we departed from Point Park, Parkersburg, aboard the Ohio River sternwheeler "Blennerhassett" for a picnic on nearby Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. Dan Hyde was the Master of Ceremonies for the afternoon which included lugging his trusty portable personal PA system to the Island. Many other volunteers lugged huge coolers of the food, drinks and everything needed for a picnic for 60 people.
After Mary Love Berryman gave the Blessing, we devoured our picnic lunches of KFC chicken, fixin's and homemade desserts.
After lunch, we had a Memorial Service for all the descendants of John and Elizabeth (Cummins) Jackson who had died since our last Reunion in 2002. The Memorial Service had special meaning to Dan and the Hyde family as his mother Mary Ellen Hyde was one of those remembered. As each name of the 30 individuals was read by Diane Williams, a helium-filled latex balloon with a memorial tag was released by Lauren Fissel, with help from Jackson children. After the names were read and the balloons released, Roy Michell said a prayer and Scott Hyde played "Amazing Grace" on his trumpet. Scott had practiced long and hard for several months and it paid off, as he played a very moving and flawless version of the hymn. Great job, Scott!
Ann and Dan Fissel's son Kyle and his friend Amy were in charge of balloon detail and filled all the balloons with helium.
Next we had a talk on local history by Dr. Ray Swick of the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History. Dr. Swick told us about the Blennerhassetts, why they moved to the Island, how they built the largest private home west of the Allegany Mountains, their luxurious lifestyle, and how they became embroiled in the Aaron Burr Conspiracy of 1805.
Nancy Jackson, our president, ran a short business meeting. Linda Meyers gave the Treasurer's report. John M. Jackson gave a report on the status of the organization's publications, including the Jackson Brigade Quarterly and the several books we have published. Dan Hyde gave reports from the Nominating Committee, the Cemetery Committee and Web Master. Nancy updated us on the progress of placing a fence around Jonathan Jackson's grave (father of Stonewall Jackson).
After our business meeting, Dr. Swick gave us a very informative tour of the reconstructed Blennerhassett Mansion.
We all boarded the last boat back to the mainland at 5:30 PM. The Reunion picnic was a complete success! We had great weather, good food, good program, and pleasant mingling and conversations.
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The Jackson Reunion 2004 was a great event! It was wonderful to see and chat with such a friendly and talented group of people.