John W. Jacobs (1872-1964)

JACOBS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/5/2022 at 23:41:50

John Wilbur Jacobs
(August 7, 1872 – March 22, 1964)

The subject of this review is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community, and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual right. He is a member of the well-known law firm of Hutchison & Jacobs, his partner being Marion E. Hutchison. Mr. Jacobs was born near Lake City, Iowa, August 7, 1872, and after attending the public schools of Lake City he entered Drake University, where he graduated, receiving, the degree of Bachelor of Science. While a student in that institution he won the first honors in an oratorical contest, and afterward third honors in the state contest. While in Drake he pursued a course in civil engineering and was extremely proficient in mathematics, having strong natural ability in that direction. Becoming imbued, however, with a desire to enter the legal profession, he took up the study of law in the State University at Iowa City, and in 1896 was admitted to the bar. He then returned to Calhoun County and locating at Lake City, opened his office as a member of the firm of Hutchison & Jacobs. His oratory, clothing the sound logic of truth, carries conviction to the minds of judge and jury, and his merit is widely recognized. His preparation of cases is most thorough and exhaustive; he grasps the strong points of law and fact, while in his briefs and arguments the authorities are cited extensively and the facts and reasoning theron are presented cogently and unanswerably and leave no doubt as to the correctness of his views or of his conclusions. Every point is given its true prominence and the case is argued with skill, ability and power, so that he rarely fails to gain the verdict desired.
Mr. Jacobs has also been prominent in public affairs here. In December, 1897, he was elected to fill a vacancy in the office of
mayor and discharged his duties so acceptably that he was reelected, at the following election, for a full term and continued in that position until 1900. He favored reform and progress and his administration was of practical benefit to the city. He is now serving as city solicitor, having been the incumbent in that position for the past two years. He endorses Republican principles and is well known as a leader in his party.
On the 17th of November, 1898, Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage to Miss Bertha E. Coe, a native of Woodbine, Iowa. Mrs. Jacobs is a graduate of Drake University and before her marriage was professor of languages and literature in the Woodbine Normal College.
They have become well known in Lake City and the hospitality of the best homes is extended to them. Fraternally Mr. Jacobs is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In early life he engaged in school teaching in order to continue his professional career, thus giving evidence of the elemental strength of his character. He is yet a young man but has already attained success which many an older practitioner might well envy. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.296]