Rev. Andrew W. Jackson
Early African American Leader in Jacksonville, Illinois
Born: Early 19th Century
Died: 1901
Profession: Minister, Community Leader, Public Official
Known For: First African American alderman in Jacksonville; early church leadership
SUMMARY
Rev. Andrew W. Jackson was an early African American community leader, minister, and public official in Jacksonville, Illinois. A pastor at Mount Emory Baptist Church and one of the city’s first Black elected officials, Jackson played a key role in establishing religious institutions and advancing education for African Americans in the years following the Civil War.
2008
Posthumous recognition by medical society
1940
Hospital reached peak scale and regional impact
1933
Moved to Springfield; founded newspaper
1922
Hospital reached peak scale and regional impact
1909
Opened New Home Sanitarium
1897 - 1902
Served at Tuskegee Institute
1875
Born in Shorter, Alabama
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Born
1846
Helped establish
African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jacksonville
1866
Served as Jacksonville’s first African American alderman
1868
Helped establish jacksonville's first public school for African American students
1901
PASSED AWAY
Early Life and Background
Andrew W. Jackson is believed to have been among the earliest African American residents of Morgan County, Illinois. Historical accounts suggest he may have been the first Black resident in the area, though documentation from this period is limited.
Before entering the ministry, Jackson worked as a barber. He later became involved in church life, where he began studying for the ministry and eventually rose to a leadership role within the local religious community.
Religious Leadership in Jacksonville
Rev. Jackson served as a minister at Mount Emory Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Illinois, one of the city’s historically significant African American congregations. In 1846, he also played a role in helping to establish a local African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, contributing to the growth of organized Black religious life in the region.
His leadership helped lay the foundation for faith-based community organization during a time when African American institutions were critical to social and cultural development.
Public Service and Educational Advocacy
In 1866, Rev. Jackson became Jacksonville’s first African American alderman, marking a significant milestone in the city’s political history during the Reconstruction era.
During his time in office, he worked with what is now Jacksonville School District 117 to establish the first free public school for African American students. The school was housed at Mount Emory, further demonstrating the central role of the church in education and community life.
Legacy
Rev. Andrew W. Jackson’s contributions to Jacksonville reflect the broader efforts of African American leaders in the 19th century to build institutions, expand access to education, and participate in civic life despite significant social and political barriers.
His work in ministry, education, and local government helped shape the early African American community in Jacksonville and left a lasting impact on the city’s history.
DISCLAIMER
Some historical accounts vary due to limited surviving documentation. The information presented here reflects the most widely accepted research available.
