Jacob Maeys

Jacob Maeys, one of the most prominent and influential farmers of Monroe County, resides in the village of Maeystown. As he is so widely and favorably known in this community we feel assured that this record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers, and therefore gladly give it a place in this volume. He was born in Germany October 4, 1828, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Reap) Maeys, who were also natives of that country. Their family numbered nine children, three of whom died in infancy. The others were Jacob, Henry, Elizabeth, Matilda, Catherine and William. The father was a day laborer and worked hard to support his family. In 1832 he came with them to the United States, hoping to thereby better his financial condition. He first located in Lancaster County, Pa., where he worked as a farm hand by the day. In 1841 he removed to St. Louis, Mo and thence came to Monroe County, Ill. He rented a farm near Columbia and carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1845, at the age if forty-five years. In politics he was a supporter of Democratic principles. His wife died in the home of our subject when about seventy-two years of age. She was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Jacob Maeys was only four years of age when brought by his parents to this country. He continued to live with them throughout their lives, and was reared and educated in Pennsylvania. Although his school privileges were quite limited, he has been a great reader from boyhood and has thus become a well informed man, for which fact he deserves credit.

At the age of twenty-five Mr. Maeys was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Fisher, who was born, reared and educated in Germany and came with her parents to this country when a young lady of twenty years, the family settling in Monroe County. Mr. and Mrs. Maeys became the parents of five children, but two died in infancy. Those still living are George, Catherine and Elizabeth. The daughters are both married. The mother of this family, who was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church, was called to her final rest when fifty-two years of age. Mr. Maeys afterwards wedded Christina Driemyer a native of Germany, who crossed the Atlantic with her parents when a maiden of thirteen summers and became a resident of Perry County, Ill. She is a most estimable lady and her excellencies of character have gained for her many friends. Six children were born to this union, but four died in infancy, and Henry Edward and Charles C. are the only ones now living.

Mr. Maeys began life for himself by working as a farm hand in Monroe County for $4 per month. He was industrious, economical and persevering, and as he acquired some capital he made judicious investments in land and added to his property from time to time, until his landed possessions now aggregate about two thousand acres. He also owns other property and securities and is now numbered among the wealthiest citizens of Monroe County, a position he has attained through his own efforts. He certainly deserves great credit for his success in life and his example may well serve to encourage others.

In his political views Mr. Maeys is a Democrat. He has held the office of County Commissioner and a number of other local positions, the duties of which he has ever discharged with promptness and fidelity. He and his wife are faithful members of the Lutheran Church. He has justly risen to a prominent position among his fellow-townsmen, and the name Maeys is inseparable from the history of the community.