My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM J. JACOBS, farmer, was born in Maury County, Tenn., January 14, 1831, and is a son of Joseph R. and Louisa (McKee) Jacobs, both natives of North Carolina. Joseph Jacobs became fatherless when but nine years of age. He was then bound out to Williamson Akins, and learned the blacksmith trade, which occupation he followed the principal part of his life. He also followed agricultural pursuits for some time. His death occurred in 1870. He started in life but a poor boy, with nothing but two strong arms with which to battle, and when the late war broke out, was one of the wealthiest men in the county. This he accomplished by hard work and close attention to business; he was the son of William Jacobs. The mother died in 1875. Our subject remained with his parents on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, serving an apprenticeship in the blacksmith’s trade, which business he followed for seven years. He was one of the many old settlers who received the rudiment of their education in the rude log schoolhouses of those early days. October 14, 1860, he wedded Ann E. Parham, a native of this county, and the daughter of Thomas J. Parham. Mr. Jacobs is a Democrat, and one of Maury County’s most successful farmers. He is at present residing in the house built by Ezekial Polk, grandfather of James K. Polk.