JACOBS, Marion
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 450-451

The fine and well-ordered farm belonging to Marion JACOBS, near Reedsburg, is 
conspicuous for the manner in which it has been improved and cultivated, and 
evidences that it is the homestead of one of the most enterprising and 
progressive agriculturists of Sauk County. A native of PA, he was born in 
Amity, Erie County, 03 May 1842, and is a son of Galen E. and Martha M. 
(WADSWORTH) JACOBS. The father was a native of upper Canada and a son of 
Gustavus JACOBS, who removed to that country from VT and later to NY. He 
lived to be over 90 years of age and died at Plattville [Grant County], WI. 
For some years he worked as a stone mason and boat builder on the Erie canal 
at Rochester [Monroe County], NY. His grandparents came to America from 
France, probably from the privince of Alsace. The father of Gustavus JACOBS, 
who bore the same name, was a member of Colonel STARK's command, at the 
battle of Bennington [VT] during the Revolutionary war, and he also reached 
the advanced age of over 90 years. Our subject's father came with his family 
to WI in 1855, and settled in the town of Honey Creek, Sauk County, where in 
connection with the operation of his farm he also worked at the carpenter's 
trade. He died at North Freedom [Sauk County, WI], in the fall of 1894, at 
the age of 77 years. His wife, who is still living at that place, was born 
near Attica [Wyoming County], NY, 19 Apr 1817, and is a daughter [p 451] of 
Rodney WADSWORTH, a cabinet maker, who was engaged in the manufacture of 
chairs by hand at Attica. His father was a native of Ireland, and during his 
residence in this country made his home at Attica, where his death occurred. 
Two great uncles of our subject, William and John JACOBS, were soldiers in 
the Mexican war.

Marion JACOBS accompanied his parents on their removal to Sauk County, and 
here grew to manhood. Prompted by a spririt of patriotism, he enlisted on 04 
Jan 1862 in Comapny F, 23rd WI Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil 
war, and was in the department of the Gulf, under the command, at different 
times, of Generals Grant, Sherman, Banks and McClernand. He participated in 
the battle of Fort Donelson, the siege of Vicksburg and Banks' disastrous 
expedition up the Red River. Though never wounded or take prisoner, his 
health was entirely broken down, and after his return to New Orleans from 
Banks' expedition he was confined to the hospital at that place, and later at 
Vicksburg, Jefferson Barracks and Prairie du Chien [Crawford County], WI, 
being finally discharged 26 Jun 1865. He has never recovered his health, but 
suffers constantly from chronic diarrhea.

After the war Mr. JACOBS worked for a time in a saw mill, and continued to 
make his home in Honey Creek Township [Sauk County, WI] until 1891, when he 
bought a farm in Reedsburg Township [Sauk County, WI], where he now resides. 
He is the owner of two fine farms, aggregating 240 acres of tillable and hay 
land, and also has an 80-acre timber tract. Potatoes and grain are his chief 
crops, but he also gives some attention to the breeding of Jersey cattle for 
his dairy. He has built large barns and has commodious accommodations for 
his stock, and everything about his place betokens the thrift and industry of 
a progressive owner.

On 10 Apr 1870 Mr. JACOBS married Miss Anna M. VOSS, who died in Apr 1871, 
leaving an infant daughter, Anna, now Mrs. Walter CARPENTER, of North Freedom 
[Sauk County, WI]. He was again married 08 Nov 1873, his second union being 
with Miss Louise AMBLER, who was born in Bucks County, PA, and in 1853 came 
to Sauk County, WI, with her parents, Thomas and Abigail AMBLER, who located 
in Troy [Walworth County, WI?]. The father died in Chicago [Cook County], 
IL, and the mother at Troy [Walworth County?], WI. By this marriage Mr. 
JACOBS has two sons: (1) Galen M., a resident of Seattle, WA; and (2) 
Seth, on the home farm. He also has one grandchild.

Fraternally Mr. JACOBS is an honored member of H. A. Tator Post, G. A. R., 
and politically he has been a lifelong Republican, casting his first vote for 
Abraham Lincoln in 1864, while in the Union army during the war of the 
Rebellion. He has never been an aspirant for political honors, though for 
two years he acceptably served as assessor of Honey Creek Township.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly