John Jacob, farmer, Section 9, Township 19, Range 13, P.0. Neosho Rapids, was born at Wheeling, Va., May 3, 1843. Two years later his parents removed to Johnson County, Iowa, where they remained upon a farm until the spring of 1862, when they came to Kansas, driving through by team. The subject of this sketch remained with his father upon his farm in Jackson Township, until after marriage. During the War of the Rebellion he was engaged for about two years in freighting for the Government between Emporia and Fort Gibson, Indian Ter. After his marriage he farmed rented land for two years, then bought eighty acres of partly improved land, situated on Dry Creek, in Jackson Township. He has since purchased land adjoining, so that he now has in his farm 240 acres, upon which he has placed valuable improvements, including a good dwelling and necessary farm buildings, and an orchard of 155 trees. He raises cattle and hogs, feeding all his crops to his own stock. Mr. Jacob has been a member of the School Board, and Treasurer of the same five or six years.
      He married Miss Margaret J. Runnion, of Cedar County, Iowa, December 25, 1866. She died October 17, 1872, after bearing him two children, of whom Nellie E. is now living. He married Miss Martha Shafer, of Jackson Township, March 19, 1877, by whom he has one child - Harry E. John is the son of John Jacob Sr. and Elizabeth Roth, of Wheeling, Va., married February 16, 1842, by which marriage he has had ten children, of whom John Jacob, Jr., Wilhelm, Christian, Henry, Samuel and Mary Ann Elizabeth are now living. The family lived for a time in Johnson County, Iowa.