OBIT: Edgar Hale JACOBS, 1917, Hollidaysburg, Blair County, PA

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HOLLIDAYSBURG
EDGAR HALE JACOBS PASSES FROM EARTH
Prominent Citizen of the County Capital Called in His Prime
EDGAR HALE JACOBS [photo]

  Edgar Hale Jacobs, hardware merchant, politician, lodgeman, former 
burgess and chief of the fire department and one of the most prominent 
and widely known residents of the county, died yesterday morning at 
7.35 o'clock at his home, 410 Wayne street, Hollidaysburg, after a 
lingering illness with Bright's disease and hardening of the arteries.
  For more than a year Mr. Jacobs had been in failing health and during 
the late autumn his illness assumed a serious nature and for a month 
preceding his death he had been confined to his home.  The insidious 
disease made rapid inroads, so that he lost flesh quickly and his 
large, robust frame soon became thin and emaciated.  But he made a 
gallant fight for his life, putting up a brave battle with the Grim 
Reaper, his excellent constitution and splendid will power enabling him 
to resist doggedly until the very end.  He had taken no nourishment 
whatever for a week preceding his death, during which time he lay in a 
comatose condition, steadily sinking, until finally forced to give up 
the unequal fight.
  Mr. Jacobs was born in Hollidaysburg on April 8, 1871, and was a son 
of Calvin B. (deceased) and Lucinda Jacobs.  He attended the local 
public schools in his boyhood days and made rapid progress, as he was 
unusually bright in his studies.  Upon leaving school he became a clerk 
in the Wood-Morrell company store at Bennington, under the management 
of W. D. Libby.
  In 1891 he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad company as 
a passenger brakeman on the Pittsburg division and was so employed for 
about one year.  In 1892 he returned to Hollidaysburg and entered the 
hardware store of C. B. Jacobs & Son, his father and brother, and had 
been so employed ever since, becoming an expert hardware man.
  He was a member of the First Presbyterian church of Hollidaysburg and 
the Young Men's Christian association and a prominent lodgeman, being 
identified with the following organizations: Juniata lodge No. 282, 
Free and Accepted Masons; Hollidaysburg lodge No. 119, Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows; Mizpah lodge No. 135, Knights of Pythias; Modern 
Woodmen of America; Hollidaysburg association No. 11, Artisans Order of 
Mutual Protection; Price of Mountain City lodge No. 472, Jr. Order 
United American Mechanics; Washington camp No. 755, Patriotic Order 
Sons of America; Altoona lodge No. 102, Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks, and Altoona aerie No. 286, Fraternal Order of Eagles.
  His political affiliations were with the Republican party and had he 
lived and regained his health he would have been a candidate for the 
nomination for sheriff this year.  He was a candidate for this position 
four years ago and made a creditable showing at the election.  He was 
one of the most prominent members of the Phoenix Fire company and was 
also a member of the State Fireman's association.  He was chief of the 
borough fire department for several terms, serving in this capacity 
from 1904 to 1908, and filling the position most creditably.  He was 
burgess of Hollidaysburg from 1909 to the middle of 1913.  As a member 
of the fire department Mr. Jacobs was largely instrumental in having 
the present new fire house and auto fire truck for the Phoenix Fire 
company.  As burgess he performed his official duties most faithfully 
and was untiring in his efforts for the betterment of civic conditions.  
It was during his administration that Hollidaysburg underwent the new 
sidewalk crusade, five miles of concrete walks having been laid during 
his term in office. 
  Thus Edgar Jacobs was one of the most progressive and valuable 
citizens the town ever knew, always taking an active interest in all 
matters pertaining to its advancement and being the originator and 
promoter in various movements.  He had a heart as large as his sturdy 
body and constantly performed acts of charity, many needy families 
often wondering where coal and provisions came from, that were sent to 
them.  But all this was done so quietly that few persons knew of it as 
the giver did not do so to gain popularity, but merely for the love of 
helping those in need.  His generosity was so great that he was the 
target of many alms seekers and others, and he always gave liberally to 
everything for which money was asked, and was ever ready to do a favor 
for anyone.
  His sunny disposition, big heart and many other fine qualities made 
him a friend of everyone, both old and young, and few there were in the 
whole county who did not know the jolly countenance of this man that 
would brighten the saddest heart.  He had many friends in various parts 
of the state and was well known and highly esteemed by many traveling 
men who visited the town.
  He is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Lucinda Jacobs, and the 
following brothers and sisters: Harry A., John P., and Mrs. Belle 
Blumer, all of Hollidaysburg; William D., of Los Angeles, Cal.; George 
T., of Swissvale, Pa.; Mrs. Samuel A. Hamilton, of Huntingdon, Pa., and 
Mrs. Henry B. Oves, of Vandergrift, Pa.  Mr. Jacobs was unmarried.  
Public funeral services will be held at his late home on Wednesday 
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, to be conducted by Rev. W. H. Orr.  Private 
interment will be made in the Presbyterian cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday Morning, January 2, 1917