Jacob Wernli Biography


	This biography appears on pages 277 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JACOB WERNLI. 

	Jacob Wernli, who owns and operates a well improved farm of three 
hundred and twenty acres in Grand Meadow township, Minnehaha county, is 
numbered among the representative and enterprising agriculturists of 
his community. His birth occurred in Switzerland, on the 2d of April, 
1861, his parents being Jacob and Maria Wernli, both of whom died in 
that country. The father, who was prominent in politics and held many 
important offices, passed away in 1878, while the demise of the mother 
occurred when she had attained the age of seventy-eight years. 

	Jacob Wernli acquired a good education in his native land and 
after putting aside his textbooks turned his attention to agricultural 
pursuits. On attaining his majority he emigrated to the United States, 
taking up his abode in Highland, Madison county, Illinois, where he 
remained for six years. On the expiration of that period he removed to 
Iowa and in that state continued his residence for a quarter of a 
century. In 1913 he came to South Dakota and purchased three hundred 
and twenty acres of land in Grand Meadow township, Minnehaha county, 
which he is now cultivating with excellent success. He also devotes 
some attention to live stock, having thirty head of cattle and one 
hundred hogs. He utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate 
the work of the fields and is a modern and progressive agriculturist 
whose labors are directed along the most practical lines. 

	Mr. Wernli has been married twice. In 1890 he wedded Miss Eliza 
Egger, by whom he had a son and a daughter, namely: George; and E. 
Bertha, who follows the profession of teaching in Iowa. The wife and 
mother passed away on the 16th of June, 1892, and on the 12th of 
September, 1893, Mr. Wernli married Miss Maggie Egger, by whom he has 
the following children: Lena, Selma, Raymond, Harry, Edna, Marie and 
Junior Egger. 

	Mr. Wernli is a democrat in politics and is now serving as 
president of the school board, the cause of education having ever found 
in him a stanch champion. In religious faith he is a Reformed 
Protestant, while fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen 
of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having taken all 
the degrees in the latter organization. His life has been upright and 
honorable in all relations and his record ii one well worthy of 
emulation.