Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Lutz, Jacob C 1844 - 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 26, 2006, 12:30 am

Author: History Grundy County 1882

Jacob C. Lutz, general merchant and banker, Gardner. The subject of this 
sketch, whose portrait appears in this history, was born in Wurtemberg, 
Germany, February 13, 1844. He was the son of Jacob B. and Katharina (Kern) 
Lutz, the former a native of Germany, born January 27, 1812, the latter born 
in 1814. To them were born three children - Christina, wife of John Weber, of 
Kansas; Jacob C., subject; Carrie, wife of Henry Fey, of Morris. The family 
moved to this country in the summer of 1855, stopping in Cleveland, Ohio, six 
months, and in Chicago one year, when they moved to Minooka, this county. The 
father was a carpenter by occupation; limited in means; died in Morris in 
1879; the mother is still living. Our lad Jacob was put to herding cattle for 
R. Gardner, an extensive farmer and merchant for Minooka. The second year, he 
hired to the same party to do chores for $70; was employed a part of the time 
in the store, where he soon became very efficient. So competent and faithful 
did he prove that his employer retained him as clerk for seven years. When 
twenty-one, he had accumulated $500, and with a partner opened a flour and 
feed store in Chicago. This proved unprofitable, and in six months he returned 
to Minooka with only $200. He took his old place in Gardner's store for a 
little time, when he went to Morris and clerked in the store for J. J. Irwin. 
In March, 1867, with $475 of his own and $1,000 borrowed money, he, in company 
with Charles Foote, opened a "general store" in Gardner. The first year's 
receipts were $32,000, and Lutz paid his borrowed money in ten months. After 
four years, he was able to buy out his partner's interest, and, 
notwithstanding the increased competition, his first year's sales reached 
$62,000. Four years since, he took Eli Eldred as partner, and with a stock of 
$20,000 the firm is commanding a profitable business. A few years since, in 
company with C. K. Snyder and others, he went into the grain and lumber trade, 
and is now, in company with Louis Germain, buying and shipping grain. The 
business has been well conducted, and has been of considerable profit. With 
the means he had saved in his business, about five years ago he began buying 
real estate, adding from time to time, until, at this writing, he has 2,180 
acres. His lands are in Greenfield and Braceville, and comprise some 
productive farms, which are being handsomely improved. Two years since, Mr. 
Lutz started the Bank of Gardner, making W. V. D. Bishop Cashier. The 
enterprise is yet young, but of goodly promise. J. C. Lutz was married to 
Annie Bowers at Minooka April 8, 1868, Leander Smith, Justice of the Peace, 
making the nuptial tie. She was born at Clifton Springs, N. Y., February 5, 
1846; was the daughter of William and Martha (Weston) Bowers, of English 
nativity. He died near Vicksburg, while in the service of his country. She is 
still living at Minooka. Mr. and Mrs. Lutz have six children, all born in 
Gardner - Carrie Louisa, born January 27, 1869; Annie Katharina, January 10, 
1871; Bernhardt Otto, November 23, 1872; Jacob Charles, August 12, 1874; 
Robert G. Ingersoll, March 18, 1879; Carl Henry, March 12, 1881. Owing to the 
financial condition of his parents, Mr. Lutz had early in life to depend upon 
his own labor for support, and consequently his chances of education were 
quite limited. Nature gave him a mind to think and a memory to retain. With 
these endowments, coupled with industrious habits, using his leisure moments 
for reading, he has gained a very thorough knowledge of business, and in the 
general news of the day he is well versed. Financially, he has been successful 
in an eminent degree. Beginning his career with nothing save a determination 
to win, he has, while yet but middle-aged, made an ample fortune. While 
desirous of adding to his estate, he is hospitably inclined, many, a poor 
unfortunate receiving aid and comfort at his hands. In politics, he is a 
Republican, in religion, a Liberal. In his home, he is cheerful and 
affectionate, in health generously providing for every want of wife and 
children, and in sickness caring for them with devoted tenderness. Mrs. Lutz 
is a woman of pleasing address and good judgment, caring but little for 
society, but attached to husband and children by the strongest ties. The will 
of the father and the little ones is the mother's pleasure, and to sacrifice 
for their good is no discomfort. Her every-day life and record prove her 
worthy of the husband she has chosen and the children she has borne.

Additional Comments:
Source: History of Grundy County, Illinois. (1882) Chicago: O.L. Baskin & Co. 
Historical Publishers.

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