Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Jacob Schwab Jr.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
JACOB SCHWAB JR. Among those who have redeemed a portion of the raw prairie of Mulberry Township from its primitive condition, the subject of this notice is worthy of special mention. He is thoroughly versed in agricultural pursuits as has been fully illustrated through his operations on his fine farm of 160 acres, occupying a quarter of section 36. He took possession of this in 1880, soon after landing in America, after an ocean voyage from Switzerland. He was born in the canton of Berne, Sept. 15, 1842, and is the offspring of a highly respected old Swiss family, his father being Jacob Schwab Sr. The latter crossed the ocean in 1878, and is now living with his son Frank, in Bloom Township, Kan., being an old man of seventy-six years. He married a lady of his own country, who died in Switzerland when forty-two years old, and when their son, our subject, was a youth of eighteen years. The family were Presbyterians in religion.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest in a family of four sons and three daughters. His childhood and youth passed in an uneventful manner under the home roof, he in the meantime acquiring a practical education, and learning the trade of a miller, which he followed until coming to America. He was married, in 1863, to Miss Anna Affolter, a maiden of his own canton, and who accompanied him to the United States. Her father, Samuel Affolter, was likewise of Swiss birth and parentage, and spent his entire life amid the romantic scenery of his native land. He was a farmer by occupation, an honest and industrious citizen, who enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church; the latter is still living in Switzerland, and is now seventy-five years old.
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schwab, the eldest of whom, Godfrey, married Miss Rosa Hertig, and is farming in Mulberry Township, Clay County; Arnold remains at home with his parents; Minnie is the wife of Fred Affolter, and they live on a farm in Bloom Township; Frank remains at home; Mary is the wife of Rudolph Furrer, and they live on a farm in Mulberry Township. The younger children are: Frederick, Lizzie, Emil, and Frieda. Mr. and Mrs. Schwab are Presbyterians in religious faith, and Mr. Schwab, politically, is a stanch Democrat.