Biography - PETER JACOBI

The cultivation of a fine farm of two hundred and seventy acres in Bunker Hill township absorbs the attention of Peter Jacobi, one of the prosperous farmers of Macoupin county. He was born in Germany on the 14th of January, 1846, being a son of Caspar and Elizabeth (Colonias) Jacobi, who emigrated to the United States in 1853, locating in Brighton, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacobi there were born seven children: Philip, who is a resident of Chesterfield, Illinois; Peter, our subject; Mary, who is still living in Brighton; Fred, who makes his home in Fayette, Illinois; Lizzie, who is deceased; Anna, who lives in Jacksonville; and Louis, a resident of Denver, Colorado.

As he was only a lad of seven years when his parents brought him to the United States, Peter Jacobi obtained his education in the district schools of Brighton township. Leaving his studies he continued at home, assisting in the work of the farm until he was eighteen years of age. He responded to the call for volunteers in 1864 and, enlisting in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he went to the front where he remained for four months. After the expiration of his period of service he returned to Brighton where he learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed for six years. He subsequently located on a farm in Brighton township, continuing its cultivation until 1885, when he purchased his homestead in Bunker Hill township. This contains two hundred and seventy acres of land, all of which is in a high state of cultivation and well improved.

In 1871 Mr. Jacobi married Miss Minnie Heyer, who was born in St. Charles, Missouri, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Heyer. Of the fifteen children born to them eleven are still living, namely: Minnie, at home; Lydia, who holds a civil service position at Anaconda, Montana; Peter, a railway mail clerk at Bunker Hill, Illinois; Arnold and Fred, both residents of El Reno, Oklahoma; Alvin, Caspar, Dora, Van and Milton, all at home; and Frances, the wife of Chester Pennington, of Bunker Hill.

Mr. and Mrs. Jacobi hold membership in the German Methodist Episcopal church, and his political support he gives to the republican party. He takes an active interest in all township affairs, and though never an office seeker for monetary rewards, held some minor offices. Mr. Jacobi is one of the thrifty and enterprising citizens of Bunker Hill township whose unremitting energy intelligently applied has enabled him to attain the success to which he aspired.

Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 620-621.