My Genealogy Hound

JOHN I. JACOB, deceased, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1778, and died in Louisville in 1852. He came to this city about 1807, and engaged in the mercantile business, forming a partnership with Thomas Prather, one of the most prominent of Louisville’s early business men. The old house of Prather & Jacob was for many years one of the reliable business houses of the young city, and was the synonym for all that was upright and honorable. After the dissolution of their partnership, Mr. Jacob became president of the Branch Bank of the United States, and after it was closed was made president of the Bank of Kentucky, which position he resigned in 1836. He was for a number of years a member of the city council, and in 1848 he became president of the Louisville & Frankfort Railroad, which was fully completed during his administration; but the infirmities of age compelled him to resign the position and retire from active business. He aided in the establishment of the asylum for the blind, and contributed greatly, in various ways, not only to the growth and prosperity of Louisville, but also to the amelioration of the condition of the poor and needy, displaying a liberal hand in the great charities of the city. From time to time he had purchased property throughout the city, which rapidly increased in value, and, by well conducted, legitimate business, he accumulated a large fortune. Mr. Jacob was twice married: first to Miss Ann O. Fontaine. The children by this marriage were: Mrs. Curran Pope, Mrs. John W. Tyler and John I. Jacob, Jr. His second wife was Lucy Donald Robertson. They had eight children, of whom there are now living — Mrs. James B. Clay, of Fayette County; Col. Richard T. Jacob, ex-lieutenant governor of Kentucky; Thomas P. Jacob, president of the Kentucky & Louisville Mutual Insurance Company, and Hon. Charles D. Jacob, mayor of Louisville. Of his first wife’s children, only Mrs. Tyler is now living.