Compiled by Russell Bastedo
NH State Curator
1998/1999

Harry Eugene Jackson (1904/05 - 1960)
Born at Long Island City (NY); died at Manchester (NH).
Businessman and state legislator.
Portrait by Gish, n.d.
Presented to the State by The New Hampshire City and Town Clerks Association, 1960.

Harry Jackson received his primary and secondary education at schools in Woodbridge (NJ). He attended Brown University (Providence, RI) through his junior year, then went into the insurance business as a partner in Jackson & Strosahl, on Wall Street.

The Great Depression closed Jackson & Strosahl, and in 1931 Jackson went to New Hampshire. In 1933 he was fortunate enough to be appointed Deputy secretary of State. Like Stiles Bridges (another New Hampshire job seeker of that time) Jackson knew how fortunate he was to have a job. He kept his position as Deputy Secretary of State for twenty-four years (1933/57).

In 1936 Jackson "raised" Washington Lodge, Number 61; he kept his interest in Freemasonry throughout his life. He was also a part of the labor force, however, and he could not remain blind to workers' concerns. In 1941 Jackson founded and was the first president of the State Employees Union of new Hampshire, which was at its start an independent association.

During World War Two Jackson served in the 20th Air Force, stationed on Guam in the South Pacific. Jackson was a pilot and group commander, and he wound up his military service (1942/6) as a full colonel.

Returning to postwar New Hampshire Jackson was president and a director for Cuny Engineering. He also served as secretary, treasurer and director of Crandale Corporation. He served as New Hampshire Secretary of State from 1957 until his death in 1960.

References: James D. Squires, The Granite State (1956); Gerald D. Foss, Three Centuries of Freemasonry in New Hampshire (1972).

Location: Office of the Secretary of State