My Genealogy Hound

John H. Jacobus, cashier of the private banking firm of Carpenter & Jacobus and also partner in the mercantile firm of the same name, is one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens of South Lyon, Lyon township, Oakland County, and is deserving of credit for the interest he has taken in building up the community. He was born in Northfield, Washtenaw County, Michigan, in 1858 and is a son of John D. and Jennett (Alderman) Jacobus and a grandson of David Jacobus.

John D. Jacobus was born in New Jersey and came to Michigan in 1850, locating in Washtenaw County, where he followed his trade as painter and decorator, and rounded out a most successful career, reaching a high place among the leading citizens of his township; he will long be remembered in the history of his county as a true and honest neighbor. John D. and Jennett (Alderman) Jacobus were the parents of eight children, namely: Frances, the wife of J. W. Hetley, who is engaged in the butcher business at Northville, Michigan; George L., who was married to Josephine Morse, and has three children, — Allison, Lilly and Nettie; Byron J., who resides in Detroit, Michigan, where he follows the barber’s trade, — he was married to Eliza Hagerdorn, and reared three children, Miller, Maud and Jay; Eva May, who married S. A. Carpenter, our subject’s partner in business, and has three children, Asenath, Jessie and Frankie; John H., whose name heads these lines; Minnie, the wife of John Highland, who is engaged in the hardware business in the State of Oregon, — they have reared one child, Ray; Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Highland, a farmer of Salem, Michigan, — they are the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy, May and Julia; and Julia, who married Charles Sprague, who is engaged in the lumber business in South Lyon, — they have reared two children, Rose and Hagel.

Our subject received his preliminary educational training in the district schools of Green Oak, Michigan, later attended the Ann Arbor High School and completed his education in the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, Michigan. In 1879 he began what has proved to be a most successful career, first engaging as clerk for Hedger & Carpenter, mercantile merchants and remaining with that firm for eight years. In 1887 he engaged in the mercantile business for himself, continuing for four years; in 1891 he bought out the interest of S. A. Carpenter’s partner and established the business under the firm name of Carpenter & Jacobus. They have at present one of the most reliable business houses of its kind in the county and in connection with the store have a private bank, having deposits amounting to $12,000 and with responsibilities of $30,000. S. A. Carpenter is president and Mr. Jacobus cashier.

Mr. Jacobus was married to Clementine Carpenter, a daughter of S. A. and Asenath (Blackwood) Carpenter. They have one daughter, Genevieve, and they have also adopted a child, John Ray, who is now seven years of age.

Mr. Jacobus has served as treasurer of South Lyon and as custodian of the public funds of Lyon and Green Oak townships and of the village of South Lyon. His portrait accompanies this sketch.