David Jacobia. Prominent among the successful and progressive farmers of Clayton County may be named the subject of this historical notice. By his enterprise and scientific research in the direction of his chosen industry he has given to his work a significance and beauty of which few deem it capable. He was born in Columbia County, N.Y., December 1, 1835, and is the son of Frederick and Margin (Lown) Jacobia, who were both natives of New York State. Mr. Frederick Jacobia followed the calling of faming in that county. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Loready, Elizabeth, Almira, John, David, Peter, Harietta and Marie. The parents were valued members of the German Reformed Church.

Our subject, at the age of twenty-one, left home to seek his fortune, and came directly to Clayton County, Iowa, where he worked at farming for one year, when he bought a half-interest in a one hundred and sixty acre farm on which he worked for a year, when he purchased the entire estate. He has since increased it, until at present he is the owner of two hundred and thirty acres of well cultivated fields.

Mr. Jacobia was united in marriage June 14, 1862, with Miss Lavina Baker, a daugther of Simon and Lewise (Farant) Baker, and was born in Michigan in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobia are the parents of four children: Carrie B., Myra, Homer and Ray. These children are allowed the very best education attainable in that vicinity.

Mr. Jacobia's wife is a valued member of the Congregational Church, devoted and earnest. In political sentiments he is a Republican, adhering to and supporting his party with vim and earnestness. He has been honored by his fellow-citizens with the office of School Director, serving as such for many terms, and of Postmaster for fourteen years. He is a Director of the Postville Bank, and has been for the past seven years.

The life of our subject has been mainly devoted to the welfare of others, and this has left him but little time or inclination to devote to the advancement of his own personal interest. This indeed may be accounted a fault, but the consciousness that his work has given encouragement to many aspiring young men and women, and has done much to incite them to a useful and honorable career, must alone be his apology and excuse, while he trusts that the knowledge acquired and the good accomplished by him will in the end justify, with whom he is best known, his life work.

~source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg 416-417
-transcribed by Sandi Coobs