The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 1057 

THEODORE R. JACOBS.

Theodore R. Jacobs, whose ability as an architect is manifest in many of the
fine buildings of Yakima and the valley, was born in Mannsville, New York, on
the 8th of August, 1883, a son of George M. and Katherine (Rider) Jacobs, who in
the year 1888 left the Empire state and removed westward to Colorado. The father
was a civil engineer and did much surveying in connection with the development
of the irrigation systems of that state. He was appointed United States surveyor
general under President Cleveland during the latter's second administration and
occupied that office until 1908. He has passed away but is still survived by his
wife, who is now living in Pullman, Washington, with a daughter.

Theodore R. Jacobs was but five years of age when the family home was
established in Colorado and his education was acquired in the public schools of
Denver. He afterward entered the office of F. E. Kidder, a noted architect,
when a young man of seventeen years and remained with Mr. Kidder for about eight
years, receiving most thorough instruction and practical training in the
profession. He also attended a school in Denver maintained by the American
Institute of Architects and known as the Atelier, this being a similar
institution to the one or more schools maintained by the American Institute of
Architects in each state in the Union. After thorough preliminary training Mr.
Jacobs, feeling that he was well qualified to carry on business on his own
account, opened an office in Spokane in 1910 and there remained until 1912. He
afterward went to Pullman, Washington, and was assistant architect at the State
College for four years, having charge of construction work to the amount of one
million dollars. On the 25th of April, 1917, he arrived in Yakima and already
during the short period of his residence here has designed many of the fine
homes of the city. He is now engaged in building the Toppenish high school and
he erected the building for the Lowe Tire Company of Yakima and has done other
important work.

On the 18th of August, 1917, Mr. Jacobs was married to Miss Mabel B. Gerber, of
Yakima, and they have one son, Theodore Rider, Jr. Mr. Jacobs belongs to Whitman
Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., and also has membership in the Commercial Club.
His political allegiance is given to the republican party. Along professional
lines he is widely and favorably known and has membership in the Washington
State Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Prompted by laudable
ambition, he has held to the highest standards of his profession and his ability
has brought him prominently to the front.

********************************
Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.