Dr. F. F. Jackson 3

Dr. Francis Frederick ("Frank", "F.F.") Jackson (November 26, 1867 – October 28, 1954) served on City Council in 1907 (at large) and 1915 as Commissioner of Public Health and Safety. He was a Republican. 12

Jackson was born in Ontario, Canada. He came to California in 1886. 15

Jackson was a pharmacist (druggist) and proprietor of the Jackson Brothers Pharmacy. The Jackson Brothers' ad read: "Chemists and Druggists; Specialties Jackson Jersey Balm, the Most Exquisite Preparation Known for the Skin and Complexion; Also Dr James' Headache Powders and Dr Cook's Cold Capsules; 1173 Market and Key Route Inn, 22nd and Broadway." 7 He was also the "perfecter" of the Chicago Boiler Compound which became so financially successful that Jackson could afford to attend medical school. Jackson graduated from the College of Physicians & Surgeons in San Francisco in 1903.

He lived at 716 - 10th. 6

In 1916, there was a recall election against Jackson. The recall was premised on the fact that Jackson ran on a platform of No New Taxes. In actuality, his office spent more money than his predecessors and then had the nerve to ask for more. Then he had the nerve to add 10 more patrolmen to the police force without asking the civil service board. 11 Jackson was not recalled, but 3 boxes of ballots were found after the fact, leading opponent Dr R. M. Higgins to cry foul. 7

Jackson was involved in a number of scandals in addition to the recall. In 1917, Chief of Police Walter J. Petersen was accused by Jackson of insubordination. (Possibly in retaliation,) Petersen then accused Jackson of graft and violating his campaign platform of good government. Jackson voted for a proposal to investigate the charges. 9 Although Jackson had appointed Petersen, the two had a history. In 1916, Petersen attempted to drive "Hitchcock's Private Patrol" out of Oakland, and Jackson tried to keep them in. Hitchcock had a hand in Jackson's driving out of the previous police chief, William F. Woods. Further, Jackson's brother, George Jackson, was the man from the city attorney's office assigned to look into the case. 10

Petersen's claim may not have been purely personal: Jackson's name also came up in a graft trial in 1919. Although Jackson was not on trial, the connection was made between Jackson and $10,000 monthly netted by city officials from the Chinese lotteries. 13

Jackson doesn't appear to have been all bad, and if nothing else, he had his hands in a lot of important historical things. While a councilmember (not a commissioner) he was chair of the wharves and waterfront committee. That meant that in 1907 he got to appoint representatives of the Merchants' Exchange, the Chamber of Commerce and the Harbor League. He stated that he would be appointing people who would not be unduly influenced by politics. 14 One source credits him as the "father of the ordinance to establish children's public playgrounds." 15

In his role as the commissioner of public health and safety, he dealt with the 1918 Influenza Pandemic and all kinds of police issues. For example, in 1918, he ordered the telephone company operators and merchants to spray the mouthpieces of public phones daily with germicides. 5

Jackson as member of Scottish Rite, 1899. 2nd row, 4th from left (guy in the center)9

Jackson was a member of the Scottish Rite Masons, Gethsemane Chapter of Knights Rose Croix (Freemason), Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners), a Knight Commander, Court of Honor (Scottish Rite) at Washington, D.C.

OTHER POSITIONS IN CITY GOVERNMENT

  • Ran against Frank K Mott for Mayor on the Citizens' Party ticket in 1909 and lost 8,352 to 6,045 1
  • Ran for Mayor in 1911 on platform of clean government, against excess taxation, machine politics and for education 4
  • Commissioner of Public Health and Safety 2 (appears to be the new term for City Council)

Links and References

  1. Frank K Mott on Wikipedia
  2. The NARD Journal, Volume 23. 1916
  3. Bulletin of Pharmacy, Volume 27. 1913
  4. "F. F. JACKSON CLAIMS BIG VOTE ON TUESDAY: Physician States That He Has Canvassed City and Is Sure of Victory." San Francisco Chronicle Apr 17, 1911
  5. "The 1918 Spanish Influenza Pandemic-Orders Given." Oakland Tribune Oct 11, 1918
  6. Husted's Directory. 1907
  7. "Discovery of Three Full Ballot Boxes Is Sensation in Oakland." San Francisco Chronicle Aug 23, 1916
  8. "OFFICERS OF THE OAKLAND SCOTTISH RITE BODIES - 1899."
  9. "HEAD OF OAKLAND POLICE IS UNDER FIRE IN COUNCIL." San Francisco Chronicle Jan 3, 1917
  10. "OAKLAND CHIEF OF POLICE MAY FACE COMBINE." San Francisco Chronicle Dec 19, 1916
  11. "CLUB TAKES STAND IN RECALL CASE: East Oakland Heights Body Has Discussion Over Commissioner Jackson." San Francisco Chronicle May 7, 1916
  12. "NEWS FROM ACROSS THE BAY." San Francisco Chronicle Feb 6, 1907
  13. "CHINESE TELL OF GRAFT AT OAKLAND TRIAL: Prosecution Seeks to Link Dr. F. F. Jackson With Gambling Protection." San Francisco Chronicle June 28, 1919
  14. "TO DECIDE PLAN OF CITY WHARVES: Council and Civic Bodies Will Discuss Water Front Improvement." San Francisco Chronicle Sep 20, 1907
  15. History of the State of California and Biographical Record of Oakland and Environs (V2) Los Angeles: Historic Record Co. 1907
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