Jacob S. Zook |
JACOB S. ZOOK,
a
prominent and heavy contractor and builder of Van Wert, whose
portrait accompanies this sketch, was born in Wayne County, Ohio,
Apr. 5, 1838, being a son of Daniel and Nancy (Steel) Zook.
Daniel Zook, who was a native of Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania, removed with his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, when
18 years old. Nancy Steel was also born in
Pennsylvania, and was a mere child when brought to Ohio, her parents
being among the first families to locate in Wayne County.
Daniel and Nancy reached maturity near Wooster, Wayne County,
and were married in 1834. The husband then engaged in farming
in that county, remaining there until 1841, when he moved to
Crawford County, and in 1851 to Wyandot County, where he entered 40
acres of land and cleared up the farm on which he died in 1854.
To Daniel and Nancy Zook were born six children in the
following order: Mary, Jacob S., Amanda E., John W.,
William N. and Dennis C. In 1888 Mrs. Nancy Zook
died.
Jacob S. Zook was about 13 years of age when his
parents moved to Wyandot County, where he resided until 1856, when
at the age of 18 he went to Oceola, Crawford County, where he served
an apprenticeship of three years at the carpenter's trade with
John Dome. For the succeeding four years he worked in
partnership with Mr. Dome and then went to Nevada, Ohio,
where he commenced contracting on his own account, and thus
continued until 1873. In that year he came to Van Wert as this
city afforded a wider scope for the exercise of his skill and
ability.
When first coming to Van Wert, Mr. Zook formed a
partnership with E. W. Wilson, which continued for four
years, at the expiration of which time he established an independent
business. In this city he has since erected the Hotel Marsh,
the First Methodist Episcopal Church, the City Hall, the Second Ward
Schoolhouse, the machine shop and roundhouse of the Cincinnati
Northern Railroad, the Brumback library, the Auditorium, the Home
Guards Temple and various other prominent buildings. He owns a
fine residence on South Washington street and 400 acres of
well0-improved land in Van Wert and Paulding counties. He is
also a stockholder in the First National Bank and a member of its
board of directors.
Mr. Zook's first marriage took place in Oceola,
Crawford County, Ohio, Jan. 21, 1862, to Amanda E. Barrick,
who was born in the county named, July 20, 1839, and was a daughter
of John and Jane Barrick. Both he and his wife were
members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Van Wert, until
Mrs. Zook's death, which occurred in 1902. They
had no children. Mr. Zook was afterward married to
Mrs. Rosa F. DeMoss Gamble. In politics Mr. Zook is
a Republican and as such has served in Van Wert's City Council for
two years. Fraternally he is a Mason, ranking as a Knight
Templar. As a business man he is broad and progressive, and
his social standing is among the best citizens of Van Wert.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 487 |
NOTES: |
