The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-04-16

optimism and fixed determination
never 10 give UP or surrender have
been the Inspiration that have
brought so many OF his undertakings
to happy solutions.
He experienced the hardships CON-
monte many other country boys who
had TO make their own way in the
world ut the time OF his beginning
at and after securing a common
school education he began teaching
at the early age of 16. From the
school room he went into business
and his rise In the business world
and in financial circles has been a
steady and sur6 one.
Opportunities were open in Fair
mont for young men of ambition,
energy and good business judgment
and Geo. NJ. Jacobs came from
Worthington to Fairmont. 1t was
here he made his money and he show
ed his faith in the city of his adop-
tion by investing every dollar of
earnings In the city.
He not only organized tile West
Virginian Publishing Company, but
1t was due to hi, leadership that the
Peoples Bank was recognized in
1904 and placed among the leading
banks of the city.
More than II thousand houses in
this valley have been built by him
throughout the mining towns OF the
region and several OF the finest resi-
dences and business buildings of the
city are the work of his genius. The
Geo. NJ. Jacobs building will stand
us u lasting monument to his faith
in Fairmont and to his construction
proves.
He was essentially builder.
He was never satisfied unless he
was going forward ,and doing new
and better things for the city. He
had at the time OF his death plans
ready for the building of three ad-
ditional stories TO the jacob build
Ing.
He showed the same strength OF
leadership in political matters and it
was under his direction that the Re-
publican party of this county scored
its greatest victories. And while he
was not OF late years actively engag-
ed in. politics he never lost interest
In his party's welfare and his advice
was always sought and eagerly re-
ceived by those in active charge Of
he party organization.
These things are now no longer of
interest to him but 1t is consoling to
his family and his friends to know
that he has left record of achieve
ment that time cannot end.
Mr.. Jacobs never turned n deaf
ear to any worthy cause and while
his many. acts of charity were well
known he made no ostcntatious show
of his liberal giving.
Willie he had been very successful
In business and was well fortified in
financial circles lie was always as
common and easily approached by
those who had not been so favored,
as he was when he was struggling
boy upon the farm. and this accounts
to very large extent for his large
personnel following.
We regret the: his life could not
have been spared since he was lust
in the prime Of life and was in bet
ter position, by reason of his vast ex-
perience and ample resources, to
have done much more towards the
upbuilding of the community than
lie has done in the past.
But aside from the worldly rea-
sons for this regret there, Is n senti
mental reason that makes his early
Ecalling away most sorrowful and
that is the fact that he leaves a dc.
voted wife and a beautiful little
daughter, in whose company he
found so much pleasure. to mourn his
loss.
| But such is fate and such is life
| We know not the reasons for al
these things and perhaps It is as vel
we do not. Perhaps we are placed
upon this earth to perform certain
. duties and to accomplish certain
things, and when they are done ant
done we'll, the Great Judge who look
down from his merciful bench ma,
have greater work to perform in thu
hereafter, and death may be only ,
promotion as a reward for good ant
efficient service. We say we do no
| know. We cannot understand. Blu
whatever is. must be best.
: