BIOGRAPHY: Gilbert E. Jacobs; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

GILBERT E. JACOBS is a member of the Newburgh Reed Company, manufacturers of
reed chairs and furniture. They have met with great success in their
undertaking, which is an infant industry here. They also have a department for
manufacturing rustic work, and are constantly bringing forward original
designs, which meet with great favor. The products of the plant find a ready
sale, not only in various parts of the United States, but in Cuba, South
America, Mexico and Europe. Mr. Jacobs is very prominent in many local
organizations, actively interested in the Republican party, and be-longs to
the Lake Club and the Newburgh Gun Club.

Our subject is of English descent, but his paternal grandfather, Daniel, was a
native of New York City. His father, William H., was born in Williamsburg, but
moved to Newburgh in 1875 with his family. In this city he became a prominent
business man, and passed away in 1892, at the age of sixty-seven years. His
wife, Lucy A. Tyler, was born in Center Brook, Conn., and is now making her
home with our subject. Her father, Kelley A. Tyler, also a native of the
Nutmeg State, was a successful merchant and was a near relative of Colonel
Tyler, of Revolutionary fame. George H., the only brother of our subject, is
engaged in business with him. Their only sister died in infancy.

G. E. Jacobs was born May 6, 1850, in Williamsburg, now a part of Brooklyn,
New York. When he was five years of age he removed to Cambridge, Mass., with
his parents, and a year later to Hazleton, Iowa, where he resided four or five
years. Then, returning East, they settled in Banksville, Conn., where Mr.
Jacobs attended the public schools, later entering Greenwich Academy. His
first business venture was as a grocer in partnership with his father in Mt.
Vernon, N. Y. For a few years he was engaged in the same business in company
with his father in Newark, N. J., after which for four years he and his
brother were partners in a branch store in Rahway, N. J.

It was in 1875 that Mr. Jacobs and his father opened a grocery at No. 12
Colden Street, where they successfully conducted business for about twelve
years. A branch store was started at No. 92 Water Street, George Jacobs being
proprietor of the same. About 1884, having obtained a formula for a reliable
baking-powder, the brothers engaged in its manufacture, and ultimately turned
their whole attention to the business, having their headquarters at No. 16
South Water and No. 15 Colden Streets. At one time ten salesmen were kept on
the road, and the goods found ready sale in all parts of the country from
Maine to Texas. The business was closed out in 1892, as the brothers had
become interested in their present industry and wished to give their entire
attention to the same.

When our subject started in the reed-manufacturing business, a factory 36x50
feet in dimensions supplied ample room, but from time to time it was necessary
to increase their facilities until they had a building 36x125 feet in
dimensions, three stories in height,. with additional storerooms; now,
however, they occupy a new factory at the corner of Renwick and Johnes
Streets, a three-story and basement building, with the operating machinery on
the top floor. The basement is used for the manufacture of rustic work and the
remainder for the regular reed departments. Forty hands are employed in the
works and six sales-men are kept on the road in all parts of the United
States. The reeds used are grown in India and shipped by way of Hamburg. Mr.
Jacobs gives his personal supervision to every detail of the business, and it
is owing to this fact, no doubt, thathis success has been assured from the
start. The new factory is supplied with all kinds of modern appliances, and
electric power is utilized. Mr. Jacobs is a stockholder in the arc-light
company of Newburgh.

December 4, 1873, Mr. Jacobs was married at Newark, N. J., to Mary Ward Munn,
a native of that city. Three children have been born of their union: Eugene
W., who graduated from Newburgh Academy and is now in his father's office; and
Ada L. and Bessie M. , who are at home. The family residence is a very
pleasant and commodious one, situated at No. 185 Liberty Street. Mrs. Jacobs
is a member of St. George's Episcopal Church, and is a lady of delightful
social qualities.

Fraternally Mr. Jacobs belongs to Hudson River Lodge No. 607, F. & A. M., of
which he was Master for five years; Hudson River Commandery No. 35, K. T.; and
Mecca Temple, Mystic Shrine, of New York. He is also a member of the Masonic
Hall Association of Newburgh, which has the finest assembly hall in the
country. It is in the Academy of Music and connected there-with are reading
rooms, parlors, dining-rooms and kitchens.