Biography: Hon. Jacob W. Fenstermaker

Jacob W. Fenstermaker

Source: A Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Ohio, New York: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1902.

JACOB W. FENSTERMAKER, who is filling the office of the justice of the peace
in Carroll, was born in this county, October 25, 1822. His father, WILLIAM
FENSTERMAKER, was a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred near
Reading, whence he came with his parents to Ohio in 1808, the family locating
on a farm near Carroll, where a log cabin was erected and a blacksmith shop
and it is claimed that in the smithy was manufactured the first ax ever made in
this county. His grandfather was GEORGE FENSTERMAKER. The father worked upon
the home farm in his youth and in the blacksmith shop, and when he started
out in life for himself he chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey
Miss MARY MINEHART, who was born on a farm in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, near
Juniata river. Her father died leaving a good estate to his widow and eight
children. The mother after settling up the estate came to Ohio with her little
ones, hoping that they would have good opportunities in the new country and
she gave to each child a sufficient sum of money to purchase eighty acres of land. WILLIAM
FENSTERMAKER located his eighty acres north of Carroll on the northeast corner of Violet
township. Thereon he built a log cabin and a blacksmith shop. The floor of
his pioneer home was made from an ash log and smoothed with an ax. The door
was made in the same way and the bolts were fastened in with wooden pins, while
the hinges were also ingeniously made of wood. There was a latch and to this
was attached a rawhide string, which hung on the outside of the door through
the hours of the day and the method of locking the door was to pull the string
on the inside. For fuel Mr. FENSTERMAKER used charcoal, which he himself
burned. Primitive were the conditions of life which existed, but as the years
passed the ingenuity of the settlers and their enterprising labors wrought many
changes. Wild turkey were plentiful in those days and wolves were also
numerous. Our subject relates that he has often seen his father open the door just
wide enough to put his rifle through and shoot both wolves and turkeys. When
the grandfather of our subject died WILLIAM FENSTERMAKER purchased the old
family homestead of one hundred and fifty-six acres and in the spring of 1832 took
up his abode thereon, continuing to cultivate the land and also conduct his
smithy until his death, which occurred in March, 1843. He left a widow and ten
children.

As the eldest son, GEORGE, was then married, SQUIRE FENSTERMAKER, at that
time nineteen years of age, took charge of the home farm and assisted his mother
in providing for the younger children. His early life was one of active and
earnest toil and his efforts proved of much benefit to the family. In his
twenty-fifth year he was united in marriage on the 1st of December, 1846, to
SUSANA SMITH, a daughter of HENRY SMITH, a farmer of Fairfield county. He then
built a home on one corner of the old farm and he still continued to manage the
land until he purchased a tract of eighty acres, adjoining his first purchase,
so that he owned a quarter of that section, whereon his labors brought to him
a good financial return. He remodeled and enlarged his home but eventually
sold that property which afterward came into the possession of JEFFRIES’ family
and on it was born the present champion prize fighter of that name. In the
spring of 1862 Mr. FENSTERMAKER removed to his present home, purchasing the
property the following year. The house had been erected in 1839 and was the first
brick house built in Carroll, being then considered quite a mansion. When he
came here in the spring of 1862 the Squire rented a warehouse near the canal
and engaged in the grain business, but a year
later the building and its contents were destroyed by fire and as he carried
no insurance he suffered a heavy loss. Since that time he has devoted his
energies to agricultural pursuits and his well developed place, neat and thrifty
in appearance, indicates his careful supervision and enterprise. By his first
marriage Mr. FENSTERMAKER had five children, three of whom are yet living:
MARY E., the wife of DAVID SPENCER, a contractor and carpenter living in
Columbus, Ohio; OLLIE, the wife of ROBERT McFARLAND, who follows farming and threshing
and resides near Carroll; and CHARLES D., who married Mrs. EDWARD KISTLER,
whose maiden name was JANE SANDS. They have one child, ETHEL, and they reside
with Mr. FENSTERMAKER, who on the 13th of August, 1883, was called upon to
mourn the death of his first wife. On the 5th of March, 1885, he married Mrs.
WATTS, a widow, by whom he had two children: MYRTLE, born in 1889, is being
educated in the convent of the Good Shepherd of Columbus; and PARLEY D., born in
1893, is attending the home school. Mr. FENSTERMAKER has obtained a legal
separation from his second wife. For many years the Squire has filled the office of
justice of the peace and his opinions have always been fair and impartial,
few ever having been reversed. In the spring of 1902 he was also elected mayor
of Carroll and is now acceptably filling that office. Although now nearly
eighty years of age he is still a hale and hearty man and has never been obliged
to wear glasses. Having spent his entire life in the county, he is widely
known among its residents. From pioneer days to the present he has watched the
development and progress of this portion of the state and his efforts in its
behalf have been effective in promoting its welfare. Those who know him
entertain for him friendly regard and his circle of acquaintance is very
extensive throughout Fairfield county.

Submitted by: Deborah.

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