[2][3] He was educated at the public schools of Brighton and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he took the full course with the Class of 1868 but left without degree on May 4, 1868, when he received employment on the staff of the City Engineer of Boston.

During the next three years he was engaged on various works, including surveys for the introduction of water into Brighton and West Roxbury.

From 1902 to 1904 he was a member of the special commission on the abolition of grade crossings in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and at his death had been for three years a member of commissions on the abolition of grade crossings in Foxboro, Westwood, Canton, Sharon, and Mansfield, Massachusetts.

He was also a member of the Approving Board appointed by the Legislature in 1907 to pass upon plans for the development and extension of Boston's drainage systems.

Mr. Jackson was elected a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1884, and served on its board of directors from 1902-1904.