Jacob Netherow
Jacob Netherow, farmer, was born in Fryburg, Holmes Co., Ohio, in 1822, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Gushwa) Netherow, who came to Holmes Ccounty from Somerset County, Penn., in 1820, and in 1835 moved from Fryburg to a farm two miles west of the town of Millersburgh, buying forty acres of uncultivated land. They had a family of eight children, viz: Philip, Jacob, Elizabeth, Sarah, Margaret, David, Jane and Phoebe. Jacob Netherow's early life was spent in assisting his father, and his advantages for acquiring an education were limited. Six months was the extent of his school days, but he made the most of his leisure time, and is now one of the best informed men of the county. He had many hardships to overcome, but with an unlimited supply of perseverance he was undaunted and overcame all obstacles. He went to Iowa in 1855, and at one time owned 700 acres of land in that State. He sold his property there, and returned to Holmes County, where he purchased land, and is now the owner of about 256 acres, all under cultivation with good improvements. He has always been a hardworking man, and still superintends the work of the farm, which is one of the best in Hardy Township. On this farm the first lubricating oil and gas well was found. Mr. Netherow was married in 1854 to Elizabeth, daughter of John Bixler, an early settler of Homes County. Mr. and Mrs. Netherow have had a family of five children, four of whom are living: Martha Jane, now Mrs. Rodgers; Eliza, now Mrs. Close; Sarah L. Purdy and William H. Mr. Netherow has always taken an interest in public affairs, and has served his township as school director. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889