Preserving the Past
The Jackson Mansion
by Jenn Puckett
daughters, Henrietta, and Jane. In 1877 he initiated construction on the mansion. The mansion was completed in 1879, but sadly Colonel Jackson would pass away in 1880 at only 38 years old. Henrietta and Jane eventual- ly married and moved to New York City. Mrs. Jackson con- tinued to reside in the man- sion until her death on June 30, 1913. The daughters re- turned to settle the estate and gave many of the con- tents away to family and staff,
The Jackson Mansion in Berwick is a historic American home that was built for Civil War Colonel Clarence G. Jackson in the years after his return from combat. Let’s dig into the history of this palatial mansion! Colonel Jackson was born on March 25, 1842 in Berwick. Af- ter attending Dickinson College and graduating with honors, he returned to Berwick to work with his father, self-made railroad equipment manufacturer M. W. Jackson, and to study law. How- ever, shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, he enlist- ed in the 84th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. The regiment participated in some of the heaviest fighting of the war. Jackson was twice taken prisoner by the Confeder- ates, but was exchanged both times. Upon the conclusion of the war, Jackson returned to Berwick to work as Vice President of the Jackson and Woodin Manufacturing Company, his father’s company. He also served as a director of the First National Bank of Berwick. He married Elizabeth Seybert in 1866 and had two
A young Clarence G. Jackson.
selling the remainder. They couldn’t find a buyer for the family home and in 1915 they deeded the mansion to the Borough of
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