Jacob Ernst, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Humbolt; the subject of this sketch was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 30, 1839. He married Miss Julia Anna Joose Aug. 16, 1861 she was born in Baden, Germany, June 20, 1844; they had nine children, eight living, viz., George A., John M., Flora May, Mary A., Harry D., Willis E., Clarence and Jacob E.; Charlie died June 4, 1866. He lived in Germany about fifteen years, when he came to the United States and settled in Meadville, Penn., where he lived until 1855; he then moved to Owen Co., Ind.; thence to Hendricks Co., and, in 1857, he came to Coles Co., Ill.; he had visited here in 1856; in March, 1867, he came to his present place, and has lived here since. He has held the office of School Director several terms, and is at present Commissioner of Highways in this township; he owns 159 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management.