Alexander M. Jacobs
Alexander M. Jacobs, notary public, and senior member of the firm of A. M. Jacobs & Son. manufacturers of monuments, at Ostrander. was born at Hopewell, Perry County, Ohio, June 19, 1844, and is a son of Levi and Elizabeth (Bear) Jacobs. Toliver Jacobs, the grandfather of Alexander M., was born in Virginia, came to Ohio in 1836, and died in 1858. He married Lucretia Walker, whose father served seven years in the Revolutionary War. They lived in a big house on their clearing in Perry County, and shared in the hardships and privations endured by the early settlers.
Levi Jacobs, son of Toliver and father of Alexander M., was born near Richmond. Virginia, in 1816. He had few educational advantages in his boyhood, and to learn to read attended school for three months after he was married, thus showing a creditable determination to make up to some extent for his lack of early opportunities. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father and he was 20 years of age when he accompanied the latter to Perry County, where he worked first at his trade, but later gave his entire attention to farming. He married a daughter of Joseph Bear, of Perry County, and they had six children, four of whom survived infancy, namely: Alexander M., subject of this sketch; John W., who died in 1907; Marion, who resides at Findlay, Ohio; and Sarah E., who is the wife of Elmer Dunlap, of Deshler, Henry County, Ohio. He was a leading member, as had been his father, of the Christian Union Church.
When Alexander M. Jacobs was three years old his parents moved to Big Lick Township. Hancock County, Ohio, and he obtained his education in a log school-house, a mile and a half distant from his home, which was reached by means of a corduroy road. The country was very wild for miles around and Mr. Jacobs' early advantages were few, although settlers soon came and the most inconvenient features of pioneer life were gradually overcome. He learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until 1888. when he moved to Cary, Ohio, and entered into the monument business, remaining there for seven years. In 1899, he came to Ostrander and embarked in the same line of business here, his son Lewis having become his partner in 1892, when the firm style of A. M. Jacobs & Son was adopted. Another son of Mr. Jacobs is employed in the business but is not a partner. This firm does a very large business, filling contracts all over Delaware, Union and Marion Counties, and occasionally work comes distant points. This satisfactory condition of affairs speaks well both for the quality of their work and the honorable business methods followed by the firm.
Mr. Jacobs was married (first) to Cordelia McRill, a daughter of Benjamin McRill, who was Mr. Jacobs' first school teacher. Of the five children born of this marriage, four survive, namely: Lewis, junior member of the firm; Charles, residing at Ostrander, who married Delia Tong; Frederick; and Rosa, who married Ashley Alspach, residing at Ostrander. Mrs. Jacobs died in 1880, aged 34 years. She was a consistent member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Jacobs was married (secondly) to Sarah E. Pendleton, who was born in Concord Township, and who is a daughter of William Pendleton, a pioneer settler there. Three children were born of the second marriage, one of whom died young, the two survivors being Jessie and Walter. Mr. Jacobs was very active in Sunday-school work and was an elder in the Christian Union Church, in Hancock County.
In politics, Mr. Jacobs is affiliated with the Democratic party. From 1883 until 1892 he served as a justice of the peace in Hancock County, and in 1901 he was elected to the same office and served three years at Ostrander. He has been a notary public for the past five years. His public services have been faithfully and efficiently performed. While residing at Cary, Ohio, he joined the Tribe of Ben Hur. and he belongs also to the Odd Fellows, having held official position in Fountain Lodge, No. 353, at Vanlue, Ohio.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908