Jackson County, Ohio

History and Genealogy


Alice Almay Remembered


A recent Times-Journal obituary of Alice Finch Almay triggered many memories of life in Jackson Township in the early and middle years of the last century for Donna Martin Finnicum of Powell Drive.

Alice Almay was Donna's first teacher at Savageville School, where Donna attended all eight elementary grades in the one-room school. Donna says Jackson Township was one of the last districts in the state to centralize their schools. Her grandfather, Jerome Damron, was a country schoolteacher at Hickman School. He saw the talent of the Finch children, John, Alice, Ruth (Stinson), and Ann. He prodded their father to get them further education. The Finch family had a country store on Rt. 35 West in Jackson Township, and the family lived in quarters above the store. Jerome Damron was a country teacher, a lawyer (in Kentucky) and a farmer. His transportation was by horseback; he owned a car but never drove it. The car provided transportation to Jackson High School and other destinations for his teenage daughters, Dee, Eleanor, and MerryDawn. There were no buses in those days.

Donna's mother, Blanche Damron Martin, taught at Limerick School during World War II. Donna recently returned to Jackson after 40 years living in the western and southern parts of the country. She enjoys the column and says the mention of some of the old families makes it seem like home.

Thanks to Donna for sharing her memories of earlier days in Jackson Township.

Our Town by Ed Clark
Jackson Times-Journal, Jackson OH; 16 Feb 2003