joseph walter jackson was born in fountain hill, arkansas. he was the eldest son and child of samuel jackson (1893-1993), a schoolteacher, and crystal lee king (1907-1999). samuel was the son of israel nero jackson (1838-1934), a slave. isreal was the son of jack july jackson (1803-1908), an indigenous choctaw of the plantation of gale. he was raised in east chicago, indiana and in gary, indiana. jackson married katherine jackson in 1949.