Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 334
JACOB J. KIEFER

Jacob J. KIEFER, a resident of section 23, Boyer township, came to Harrison County in the spring of 1860, and lived with Mr. Richard Jefferson for about six months and then bought forty acres on section 26, of Boyer Township, upon which he lived a year when he bought the place he now lives upon. On the first tract of land he bought here he built a log cabin, sixteen feet square, and on the place he now lives his log cabin was 11x14 feet with summer kitchen added. This served until 1882, with a few additions. He has improved both of the above named tracts of land, but encountered many hardships to bring this about. He came to the county without means, and the first year his wife was ill and the following year he had that miserable disease known as ague which terminated in typhoid fever, laying him up for six months. It should be remembered that there were but few settlers in his neighborhood at this time and they were frightened in regard to the disease; hence it was that his callers were not over numerous.

Our subject was born in Germany, August 27, 1833, where he remained until the autumn of 1853, when he sailed for America, the land of freedom and prosperity. Upon landing he came direct to Seneca County, Ohio, where he hired out at farm labor and continued this until he came to Harrison County.

Miss Esther JACOBS, of Seneca County, Ohio, became his wife April 18, 1858, by which union four children were born � Samuel R., born June 27, 1860; Mary E. February 19, 1863; Charles G., July 13, 1867; Rose D., July 17, 1871. Samuel R. was drowned July 12, 1876.

Mrs. KIEFER was born in Columbus, Ohio, January 16, 1840, and her parents moved to Crawford County, of that State and her father died when she was two years of age. Her mother married again in the last-named county where she spent the remainder of her days.

Mary E., the daughter of our subject, married John H. THOMAS, March 27, 1888, at her father's residence in Boyer Township. Her husband was born in Marion County, Ohio, June 16, 1859, coming to Harrison County in September 1882.

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