Harvey C. Jackson, Sr.
(1876 – March 15, 1957)
Harvey C. Jackson, Sr. was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1876. He moved to Detroit, Michigan at an early age. His father was a native Michigander and his mother was born in Ohio. Not much is known of Jackson’s childhood or early life. After completing his education, Jackson worked as a letter carrier for the Post Office for fifteen years. It is unclear when Jackson took up photography. Upon leaving the Post Office, Jackson opened a photography studio at 474 Beaubien Street becoming the first African American proprietor of a Detroit photography studio. The Harvey C. Jackson Photographic Collection contains various photographs taken by Jackson throughout his life. The majority of the photographs were of schools, churches and events in Detroit around the 1920s.
Harvey C. Jackson, Sr. married his wife Helen, in 1906. Jackson was 30 and Helen 28 years of age at the time of their marriage. They had five children, two sons; Harvey Jackson, Jr., John O. Jackson, and three daughters; Helen Thomas, Lucinda Cook White, and Cora Isabelle Wilmot. Helen Jackson died in October 20, 1943, at the age of 65. Jackson continued to work as a photographer at the Beaubien Street studio until his death. Harvey C. Jackson, Sr. died on March 15, 1957, at the age of 81.
About the Collection
The online collection is divided into 6 sections:
References:
Fred Hart Williams, Genealogical Society Newsletter, volume 16, no. 2 (March, 1997)
Michigan Chronicles, March 23, 1957 p. 1, 4.
The Detroit News, October 23, 1943, p. 35.
1920, 1930 United States Federal Census.