The San Francisco call., 1909-03-27

ACOB HART NEFF. former lieu
tenant governor Of this state and
~ bearer. after years of political ac-
tivity, of the anfectionate title, Honest
Uncle Jake Neff." passed away at his
home. 1854 O'Farren street shortly
after II o'clock yesterday morning.
Friends of the beloved old pioneer
who was one of the few survivors of
the early promoters of CALIFORNIA; S
prosperity. are making arrangements
for his burial, and it has been decided
his body shall lie In state at the resi-
dence in O'Farren street until the
funeral
Nen had been i'll for week. but It
was not suspected, although he was
almost 7s years of age, that the mas
position would cause his death But
his heart failed and the end came SUD
denly when those in the househoid
were hoping that a recovery was only
a matter of a few days nursing
POOR PROFITED BY WEALTH
Mining men throughout the state,
particularly in the Placer county dis
trict. win join with his thousands of
friends in every other walk OF lie IN
mourning Uncle Jake's" death his
sober judgment was eagerly sought in
times Of trial, and his word was taken
without question.
Neff made many fortunes during MS
stirring life, but his charity was wlde-
spread. although unostentatious. he
lived simply, without any eXtraVa-
eance. but il is believed his estate viii
not exceed 100000 The poor know
where his fortune has gone.
Nef was born October 13, 1880, IN
Ea q
lad his father moved to Iowa, and it
was from Burlington, after having
learned the blacksmith's trade, that
Neff started for California across the
plains, in April, 1850.
ARRIVED AFoOT AND HUNGRY
In August of the same year he ar
rived at Placerville, then Hangtown,
"on foot and hungry" He went 10
Greenwood Valley. EldoTado county,
and later to Iowa Hill. In Placer, ana
engaged in mining until 1853, when he
went to Illinoistown to construct toll
road between Colfax and Grass Valley,
and later conducted a merchandise
store at Dutch Flat.
Nef entered politics as a republican
in 1867. In which year he was elected
sheriff of Placer county. He was state
senator from the same county from
1871 to 1875. and in 1876 he was ap-
pointed by President Grant one OF
three. commissioners to inspect the new
Oregon and California railroad.
For four years following 1879 Neff
was member of the state board of
prison directors and after several years
he was reappointed TO the board for a
term of six years.
MINERS AFFECTION SHOWN
The miners Of the state demonstrat-
ed their affection for Nen in 1892 by
electing him president OF the California
miners association, and for six con-
secutive years he was reelected. He
presided over three republican conven-
tions. and in 1898, when Gage was
elected to the highest office in the
state Neff was made lieutenant
governor by vote that showed the
deep rooted affection with which citi-
zens in all walks OF life regarded him.
Neff's Masonic career began in the
wisconsin Hill lodge No. "A in Septem-
Der. 1856, and he held the highest off,
ces in the organization
CAREER AMONG MASoNs
Nen was a charter member and sec
retary and master of Ionic. lodge No.
12l. which he aided in organizing in
1859. and he was admitted to Eureka
lodge No. 16 at Auburn In 1859. He
received the capitular degrees OF Lib
anus chapter No. II at Iowa Hill in
1858 and was high priest OF the chapter
for four years.
Nen assisted in forming Sloan