WI BIO - Kenosha Co - SAFTIG, Jacob

History of Kenosha & Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Lyman. Clarke Publishing, 
1916, v 2, pp 406-407

Jacob SAFTIG, widely and favorably known in Kenosha, Kenosha County, 
Wisconsin, prominent in commercial circles of the city for more than a 
quarter of a century, active in public office for three years, being now poor 
Commissioner for the city of Kenosha, was born 08 May 1866 in Germany, a son 
of John and Katherine SAFTIG, who were also born in Germany and have now 
passed away. Having spent his youthful days in Germany to the age of 
seventeen years, in 1833 Jacob SAFTIG crossed the Atlantic and made his way 
to Kenosha. He afterward became a resident of Milwaukee, where he spent two 
and a half years, and then returned to the city of Kenosha, where in 1887 he 
opened a butcher shop. For twenty-six years he conducted the business, 
during which time he was accorded a liberal and well deserved patronage. He 
always tried to please his customers, was prompt in the delivery of 
purchases, honorable in his dealings, and sold his products at reasonable 
prices, and thus for many years enjoyed a gratifying trade. In 1913 he 
disposed of his store and retired from active commercial life.

Jacob SAFTIG has filled various public offices, in each of which he has made 
an excellent record. He was for two years a member of the county board of 
supervisors, was for two terms Alderman of the eighth ward, [was Supervisor 
of the Sixth Ward of the city of Kenosha in 1907], and for eight years a 
member of the school board. In 1913 Mr. SAFTIG was appointed to the office 
of city poor master, which position he has since occupied, and during the 
intervening period has introduced various improvements in the care of the 
poor. He buys groceries and meats at wholesale prices, making a weekly 
distribution of supplies, of which he keeps an ample amount at the city hall 
all of the time in order to quickly meet any need; he has a complete store of 
necessities there. He does all of the buying and manages to get everything 
at an excellent rate. He investigates all applications for assistance, so 
that he knows that the aid which is given out is really needed. The 
department took care of one hundred and seventy-nine families at one time in 
the winter of 1914-15, including those who were asking for temporary relief. 
That the strain has not been so great during the winter just passed is 
indicated by the fact that at no one time was he caring for more than 
forty-six families. Another feature which should commend his work to all is 
that he sees that the poor secure employment and that they work when work 
when work can be obtained, for ofttimes need is the result of indolence and 
vagrancy. In his present position Mr. SAFTIG also has charge of the poor 
farm, a forty-acre tract of land on which is a modern building furnishing 
accommodations for twenty people; this is one of the best poor farms of the 
state.

On 03 June 1891 Mr. [Jacob] SAFTIG was married to Miss Katherine SCHEND, 
daughter of Christian SCHEND, a prominent citizen of Kenosha who is now 
living retired. To them [to Jacob and Katherine (SCHEND) SAFTIG] have been 
born six children: (1) Eugene [Eugene C., who was educated at the Weiskopt 
School, which opended on the north side of the city of Kenosha in 1902, and 
also at the College of Commerce in Kenosha, having been a member of the class 
of 1909 of that college]; (2) Gretchen [married about 10 June 1914 to 
Norbert L. THOMAS; (3) Paul [Paul Mathias, born 07 February 1896, died March 
1979, and about 14 June 1922 married Nellie McMANUS, who was born 22 October 
1895 and died 12 November 1994]; (4) Genevieve; (5) Victor [born 08 July 
1902, died March 1979]; and (6) Lorraine [married about 17 May 1930 to 
Milton C. BRUNNER].

Mr. [Jacob] SAFTIG and his family are members of St. George's Catholic 
Church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested, Mr. 
SAFTIG serving as the church Treasurer. He also belongs to the Knights of 
St. George, the Catholic Knights, the Knights of Columbus, and the German 
Workingmen's Society, of which he is the Treasurer. He became well known in 
business connections and has broadened his acquaintance through his activity 
in political circles. His fellow townsmen recognize in him many sterling 
traits of character, which have gained for him the warm and enduring regard 
of many.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly