Wayne County Dems To Celebrate 150th Consecutive Jackson Day Celebration

Wayne County is celebrating its 150th consecutive annual Jackson Day banquet celebration. In 1855 when the first celebration was held, friends of Andrew Jackson who supported his successful bid for the Presidency in 1828, gathered to honor "Old Hickory" in Wooster, Ohio.

Benjamin Jones was a Congressman from Wooster and friend of Andrew Jackson. He became a Congressman, serving as ally during Jackson's second term. That early friendship occasionally spent at checkers and sharing the same spitoon led to a lifelong friendship between the two. Jones' invitation to a local "Friends of Andrew Jackson" event is often displayed at the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus.

Jackson, now know as the firery, populist "Father of the modern Democratic Party," was sorely missed by his Wayne County friends following his death. Their admiration led to the first commemoration in 1855, ten years after his 1845 passing.

The Wayne County Democratic Party will welcome Congressman Ted Stickland as their keynote speaker on Saturday, March 12, 2005 at the Lowry Center on the campus of Wooster College.

Please contact Wayne County Democratic Party Chair Gene Grande at (330)264-6821 for more information.