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


many years an hunored member OF
Evergreen Lodge No. IA knights OF
Pythfas Of Worthihgtons He received
q common school education and at
tended the Fairmont Normal school
and began teaching at the age Of 1s,
and taught from 1884 to 1891 before
going into the lumber business which
was his first business undertaking.
Hehad experienced the many hard
ships common to country boys who
have to make their own way In the
world and he was not at all unfa-
miliar with the hardest kind Of ply
steal toll! and was in his early years
accustomed to hard labor in the field
and in the lumber yard.
He was a typical self-made man.
He brought to his business under
takings the knowledge gained in the
rough school OF experience and that
strong determination to succeed, no
matter what the undertaking might
he, that mas made OF him the sue
cessful man his life's work testifies
20 so strongly.
After coming to ,Fairmont he en-
gagged in the lumber business on
Jackson street and afterwards ope-
rated lumber yard at 9th street.
IN connection with his lumber
business he engaged in the contract
Ing business and lie has built over
1000 houses throughout the coal res
gions, principally at Watson, Murray,
Byran and Monongah and many 9TH
er mining towns. He was engaged
in the lumber business from 1891 to
1901
He had wide acquaintance with
the people throughout the county
gained by his close association with
them in business way, and was
asked by his friends to make the race
for county clerk which he did on the
Republican ticket and was elected by
enc of the largest majorities ever re.
ceived by candidate for that office
In the county. He assumed this Of
flee Id 1902 and made a most ex-
cellent official leaving the office in
perfect order ut the end of his term.
In 1904 he undertook. and perfect
ed, the reorganization of the Peoples
Bank, now the Peoples National
Bank, and was elected president OF
that institution a position he filled
most acceptably until the time of his
death.
Since leaving the clerks office he
devoted most all of his time when lie
was able to transact business to the
affairs of the bank and his efforts
have been crowned with such sue
cess, as reflected by the rapid growth
of the bank, that 1t might be termed
almost the fulfillment of one of his
greatest business ambitions.
In 1904 he was again in evidence
as promoter and a leader when lie
and number of associates purchased
The Fairmont West virginian, then n
weekly paper, and organized the Fair.
mont West Virginian Publishing
company and began the publication
of the daily West Virginian. Mr.. ia
cobs was the first president of this
company and held that position ct
the time of his death. ..
Another phase of his life that Is
very interesting and that afforded
him another. avenue for the exercise
Of his splendid abilities us an organ
izer and leader of men, and
which perhaps gave him as
much satisfaction rs any other
of his personal activities was
his political leadership. He was for
a number of years chairman of the
Republican county committee and 1t
was under his leadership that the Re-
publican party gained its most deci-
sive victories in this county. He was
an ardent and persistent party work.
er. lie not only gave his time for
the cause he so firmly believed In but
he was always one Of the most lib
eral financial supporters of the par
ty organization. After he retired
from active political work and even
after his health began TO fail so rap
idly, he did not lose interest in po-
litical matters and his counsel and
advice were always sought and appre-
ciated by those who succeeded him in
active management of the party's af-
fairs.
Many of his personal activities
will, of course. be soon forgotten aft
er the passing OF the present genera
ton but his strong traits of charac-
ter and able leadership will be re-
membered by those who knew him
best for many years to come, but no
matter how fleeing these memories
may be Mr.. Jacobs has left permanent
monuments to his constructive gen.
ius and to his faith In Fairmont
In which he had invested all with
which good fortune had favored him
in no inconsiderable manner. in the
way of permanent Improvements,
great buildings of brick and stone,
~.