Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 3. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 565. J. W. JACOBS Forty-seven years' residence in Oregon has made J. W. Jacobs largely familiar with the history of the state and he has witnessed many of the events which have been prominent features in the development and upbuilding of the state. He now resides at Central Point and at the present time is serving for the second term as city recorder. His birth occurred near McMinnville, in Yamhill county, December 15, 1865, his parents being A. S. and Rebecca E. (Matthews) Jacobs, the former a native of Jefferson county, Indiana, and the latter of Clark county, Missouri. They were reared and married in Keokuk, Iowa, and in 1865 they started across the plains with mule teams for Yamhill county, Oregon. The following year they removed to Ashland, where the father followed his trade of a bricklayer and stone mason. In 1882 he was elected sheriff of Jackson county and removed to Jacksonville, serving in that position for two terms, or four years. He bought a ranch two and one-half miles east of Central Point and resided thereon for about ten years after which he took up his abode in the town and lived retired throughout his remaining days. He died in 1907, at the age of seventy-five years and thus passed away one of the well known and worthy pioneer settlers of the state. Mrs. Rebecca E. Jacobs had died in Ashland in 1875 and Mr. Jacobs afterwards wedded May Smith, who now resides in Ashland. There were four children by the first marriage: N. A., of Riverside, California, who served for two terms as county superintendent of schools in Jackson county and as county clerk for a term of two years, ere his removal to the south; L. L., who for two years was county treasurer of Jackson county and is now cashier of the Fruit Growers Bank of Medford; J. W., of this review; and Mary F., who is the wife of A. E. La Ponta, of Central Point. J. W. Jacobs resided with his parents until he had reached man's estate and learned the marble-cutter's trade in Jacksonville, after which he followed that pursuit in Jackson county for twenty years, being engaged in the business on his own account most of the time. He conducted the first marble shop in Medford and two years ago he returned to Central Point, where he now makes his home. He was elected city recorder in 1910 and is now serving in that position for the second term. He was also school clerk here for nine years. All of the family have been adherents of the democratic party and have held many offices, although living in a strong republican county, their election being proof of their personal popularity and the confidence reposed in them. On the 16th of April, 1897, Mr. Jacobs was married to Miss Mary Morris, who was born six miles east of Central Point in 1872, and is a daughter of Archie Morris and a granddaughter of the Rev. Martin Peterson, a well known pioneer preacher and farmer of Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have one child, Edith, born November 12, 1908. Mr. Jacobs belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in those organizations has many friends. He is proving an able official and one in whom the public has absolute confidence. He early recognized the fact that the only way to win regard and respect as well as success, is to be thoroughly reliable, to discharge his duties faithfully and to meet every obligation of life as it comes, and by following these principles he has become well established as a worthy citizen of Central Point. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.