Paul Quinn College
Historically Black College

 

        JACKSON, ARTHUR SMITH, son of Smith Jackson and Amanda (Brown) Jackson, was born at Waco, Texas, January 1, 1873, the only boy and youngest of four children of his parents. He attended the public schools of his native town and showed desire and ability for learning. He was a youthful leader among, his schoolmates. Early in young Jackson's school life he manifested marked ability for science and mathematics, and became schoolyard authority upon problems in these branches. In 1888 he finished the grammar


M. C. Denham

school course under Prof. A. J. Moore, at that time principal of the Waco city schools. In 1890 Arthur's mother died and then the struggle began. His first occupation was bootblacking, which he followed for two or three years, and finally was persuaded by a Methodist preacher, the late Dr. B. W. Roberts, to enter Paul Quinn College. Auctioning off his boot-black outfit, our subject crossed the river and matriculated in Paul Quinn and graduated at the head of his class in 1895. After teaching in the rural districts for six years, he was called to the chair of mathematics in his alma mater, which he held for twelve years. On the death of Dr. T. C. Denham he was appointed by Bishop Tyree treasurer of the institution and held this position six years in conjunction with his professorship. He has been frequently honored by his associates, having been president of the Texas State Teachers' Association, grand officer in Knights of Pythias, supreme representative for six terms of the Supreme Court of Calanthe. The following degrees have been conferred upon him: Paul Quinn College, LL.D.; Wilberforce University, M.S. and LL.D. In 1912 he was elected by the general conference convening in Kansas City as secretary of education to succeed Prof. John R. Hawkins. He is a pleasing speaker and ranks among the best thinkers of the race. The conduct of the educational department was so satisfactory during his first term that the Centennial General Conference suspended the rule and elected him to succeed himself by acclamation. In 1897 he was married to Miss M. C. Denham, daughter of the late Rev. T. C. Denham. To them one child was born, Louise. He, his wife and baby live happily at Waco, Texas.

 

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