Jacob Tanner, a leading merchant and dealer in agricultural implements at Jefferson City, Mo., was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 14, 1829, his parents, Conrad and Johanna Tanner, being also born there. The father was twice married, and by his first wife, Johanna, became the father of six children, five of whom are living. Jacob Tanner was reared and educated in his native land, and after learning the millwright's trade worked at it for several years. In 1853 he went to Bremen, and there took passage for America, and after a voyage of six weeks landed at New York. He first went to Cincinnati, Ohio, then to Lawrenceburg, Ind., where he remained about one year working in a bakery. He then came to Jefferson City and worked at his trade for some time, and in 1855 built what was. known as the Glover's Mill, which was the first water-mill in the county. In 1856 he and his brother Charles bought this mill, which they operated until 1859, when all their property was swept away by a flood. Nothing daunted by this misfortune, they decided to go into other business, and in 1858 erected the store building in which they are doing business at the present time, their establishment being a two-story brick, situated on the corner of Jefferson and Dunklin Streets. In 1866 our subject purchased a steam flouring-mill, and 300 acres of land near Jefferson City, but left his brother to complete the mill, and he and his daughter went to Europe for their health, but on their return in the fall the cholera broke out in the ship, and they were taken to Staten Island, where they were kept about a week. Previous to his departure he rented his store to W. H. Morlock, but in 1869 resumed control of the same, and has continued the business alone ever since. He was married in 1854, in Lawrenceburg, Ind., to Henrietta Kastner, a native of Bavaria, Germany, by whom he has seven children: Barbara (married), Hermann, Matilda, Louisa, Henrietta, Emma and August. In 1885 he took his family to Europe, and was absent four months. In 1884 he was elected to the office of county treasurer, holding the position, one term; was also city treasurer one term, and served as councilman.

Transcribed from:
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company (1889).