John Percival Jackson was born in Gympie. Educated in Sydney, he returned to work for a share-broker in Sydney, before working at the Bank of NSW in Roma and Sydney. From there he returned to North Queensland, where he gained some mining experience in Charters Towers before moving to the Cloncurry district where he worked as a clerk and produce merchant.
In 1907 Jackson moved to Townsville and joined the clerical staff of The Townsville Evening Star. In 1908 he was appointed editor and business manager, serving in these roles until his death in 1913 at the age of 33.
Source: James Manion Paper Power in North Queensland Townsville: The North Queensland Newspaper Company, 1982.
