Samuel H. Jackman has taken so prominent and active a part in the educational development of his locality and of Sacramento county, that it is imperative this his history be given in the record of the representative citizens whose labors have been the basis of its development and progress.

A native of Grafton county, New Hampshire, he was born July 20, 1831, his parents being William and Lucy (Eaton) Jackman, who were also natives of New Hampshire and were descended from New England ancestry. Reared in the county of his nativity, his father died during the infancy of his son Samuel, who afterward made his home with his mother and step-father, Mrs. Jackman marrying the second time. His early education was acquired in the common schools, supplemented by study in the Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, New Hampshire, where he prepared for college, being graduated from that institution with the class of 1856. He afterward matriculated in Dartmouth College, completing his course there by graduation with the class of 1860, and he then became a factor in educational circles, becoming a teacher in the schools of his native state. Prior to this time he had taught to some extent and his own labors made possible his college education. In the schoolroom, as a student, he was thorough and accurate, completely mastering the branches to which he gave his attention, and as a teacher he was an excellent disciplinarian and moreover had the ability to impart clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. Leaving the east he removed to Bureau county, Illinois, where he again engaged in teaching, residing in that state until 1863, when, believing that he might have better opportunities for business success on the Pacific coast, he came to California. Corssing the plains he made his way direct to Sacramento county, where in 1864 he began teaching in the public schools, a profession which he followed continuously and successfully until 1881. In 1884 he took up his abode on his present ranch, which is situated on Davies avenue, about eight miles from the city of Sacramento, and here he has now lived for twenty-one years. He was one of the pioneer teachers of the county and assisted in laying the foundation for its present excellent school system. In 1872 he was elected to the county superintendency of schools and acted in that capacity for a term of two years. He was the first superintendent to grade the district schools, which work he accomplished in a most satisfactory manner. The cause of education has always found in him a warm and helpful friend and he was formerly a member of the board of trustees of the Elk Grove union high school. His ideas in behalf of public education have been of a most practical character, and when they have been embodied in the actual work have proved a progressive element for the betterment of public education here. Turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, Professor Jackman is now conducting a ranch and displays the same thoroughness, care and skill in this chosen field of labor.

On the 14th of August, 1870, occurred the marriage of Professor Jackman to Miss Ann McDaniel, a native of Sullivan county, New Hampshire, and a daughter of James and Hitty L. (Philbrick) McDaniel, both of whom were natives of Springfield, New Hampsire. In the maternal lines she comes of Scotch-Irish lineage. The McDaniel family, however, is an old one of Springfield, New Hampshire, where various representatives have been found for succeeding generations. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jackman was celebrated in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1870. He returned with his bride to Sacramento county, California, where she also engaged in teaching for thirteen years, having charge of the school at Perkins for nine years. Like her husband she proved a most capable educator, and the work which they did in behalf of public instruction proved of material benefit to the schools.

Mr. Jackman is a Republican with prohibition proclivities. He usually votes, however, with the Republican party but is also a staunch advocate of the cause of temperance and does all in his power to promote sentiment in its favor in his locality. Fraternally he is connected with Tehama lodge No. 3, A. &. & A. M., at Sacramento, and he belongs to Sacramento Grange No. 12, P. of H., of which he was formerly master. He has also been master of Pomona Grange in this county for two terms. Mr. Jackman displayed the elemental strength of his character in early life when he provided the means for securing a college education. His entire career has been marked by progress and by accomplishment. He is to-day a man of strong intellectuality and marked individuality, who throughout Sacramento county commands and receives the respect which he so well merits. His wife, too, is most highly esteemed and they occupy a prominent position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society.

Source: History of the New California - Its Resources and People, Volume II

The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905
Edited by Leigh H. Irvine