Jackson was born in Launceston, Tasmania, and educated at Charles Street and Wellington Square state schools.

He went into his father's manufacturing locksmith business, Launceston-based Jackson Lock and Brass Works Pty Ltd, at 13, and was taken into partnership at 21.

He was active in local sporting circles, and won the Tasmanian singles championship in lawn bowls in 1911.

[1][2] In 1919, he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Nationalist member for Bass, defeating Nationalist-turned-independent MP Jens Jensen.

[2] He also served as president of the Launceston branch of the Australian Natives' Association and in 1937 as chairman of the Tasmanian Exhibition.