JACOB DOHM.
The farming interests of Greene county find a worthy representative in Jacob Dohm, whose capably conducted agricultural interests class him with the enterprising farmers of Rockbridge township. There he has a valuable and well improved tract of land, conveniently and pleasantly situated about two miles south of Greenfield. His home is an attractive residence in the city of Greenfield and from that place he superintends his agricultural interests.
Jacob Dohm was born near Carrollton in Greene county, on the 29th of August, 1841. His father, Jacob Dohm, Sr., was a native of Germany, in which country he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, coming to America when a young man. For a few years he remained a resident of Ohio and then returned to Germany, where he was married to Miss Margaret Keller, a native of that country. About 1838 he located in Greene county, Illinois, and continued one of its residents until his death, which occurred about 1845. His widow afterward married Peter Achenbach, one of the old time residents and extensive landowners of Greene county.
Jacob Dohm was reared to manhood in this county and remained with his step father until twenty-one years of age, when he began working for him by the month, being thus employed for three years. In 1864, however, he put aside all business and personal consideration in order that he might respond to his country's call for aid, enlisting in 1864 as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, with which he was associated for ninety days, doing active service at Rock Island in Guarding prisoners there.
When the war was over and the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Dohm returned to Greene county and was soon after married. It was on the 15th of November, 1866, that he wedded Miss Louisa M. L. Brentle, a native of Germany, in which country she spent her girlhood days. After their marriage the young couple located on a farm near Greenfield , Mr. Dohm devoting his energies to the cultivation of a tract of eighty acres of timber land. He at once began to clear away the trees and place the farm in a cultivable condition. He built a log house, in which he lived for several years, and after he had cleared all of the land he purchased more land and kept adding to his place as his financial resources would permit until he had four hundred and sixty acres all in one body. The good buildings which he erected, together with the cultivation which he placed upon the farm, made his labors notable in the production of a well improved farm property and he continued to reside thereon until 1890, when he sold his farm and purchased another place, comprising one hundred and sixty five acres. Upon this he has built a nice house, barn, sheds and cow stable, in fact, has made permanent improvements that are in keeping with the most progressive ideas of modern agriculture. In addition to the cultivation of the fields he has engaged in trading, feeding and shipping stock and is one of the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Greene county. In 1890 he removed to Greenfield where he built a nice residence and there he makes his home while giving his personal supervision to his farming interests. He also owns another place north of the town which is also well equipped with good buildings. His success is all the more remarkable from the fact that hee started out in life empty-handed, having no capital save strong purpose and a laudable determination to win success. He saved four hundred dollars through working by the month for three years and this he invested in making his first purchase of land.
While living upon that farm Mr. Dohm was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. There were seven children by that marriage, of whom four are living: Maggie, the wife of E. E. Burrows, of Greenfield; Anna, the wife of Ernest W. Wilhite, of Greenfield; Jacob L., who is carrying on the home farm; and Mary, who is with her father. For his second wife Mr. Dohm chose Miss Mary Brown a native of Macoupin county. She is a lady of education and culture and was an accomplished music teacher prior to her marriage. This wife died about 1892. On the 22d of July, 1904, Mr. Dohm was married in Greenfield to Mrs. Mary C. Piper, a widow who was a daughter of R. C. Fisher, represented elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Dohm was a teacher in the Greenfield schools for a number of years prior to her marriage.
In his political views, which have been evolved through earnest consideration of the questions and issues of the day, Mr. Dohm has become a stanch Republican. He was elected and served on the school board for sixteen years and has been president of the district but otherwise he has never sought or desired office. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is now senior past commander of the post at Greenfield, having occupied the position for several years. Realizing that in America labor is king he has placed his dependence not upon any fortunate combination of circumstances, but upon consecutive, earnest labor and as the result of his diligence and energetic effort she is today numbered among the more successful agriculturists of Greene county.
Transcribed by: Carole Ann Heller