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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Portrait and Biographical Album of
Huron County, Michigan
Pub. Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1884

           [424]

           JACOB SPRIESS, Postmaster at Sebewaing, was born June 25, 1839,
        in the village of Zutzendorf, Province of Elsass, Germany. He
        received the quality of education common in his native land, and
        came to the United States in 1852, locating at Pittsburg, Pa.,
        where he was variously occupied during the two years, in which he
        was there resident. He went thence to Haldimand Co., Ont., and was
        there "bound out" for three years to acquire a knowledge of shoe-
        making, in the village of Cayuga. The man to whom he was appren-
        ticed fell into financial difficulties within the second year and
        fled from his creditors, thereby leaving his apprentice free from
        his obligations. He obtained work at his trade, of which his know-
        ledge was incomplete, and he engaged successively in several
        places, adding to his understanding of his business in each, until
        he became a fairly thorough craftsman. He was employed as a jour-
        neyman until 1864, when he established business in his own behalf
        in Croton Mills, Norfolk Co., Ont., and prosecuted shoemaking. His
        success was of an indifferent order, and in 1868 he came to Huron
        County, where he established himself once more in the shoe busi-
        ness.
           In 1872, he became agent for the Singer sewing machines, and
        traveled in the interests of the manufacturers. He now combines the
        sale of machines with his business proper of shoe-making. In the
        spring of 1881, he received his appointment as Postmaster from
        PRESIDENT GARFIELD, and is still the incumbent of the position.
           He was married in Rainham Township, Haldimand Co., Ont., March
        28, 1864, to CATHERINE STARNAMAN, and they have had 11 children,
        six of whom are still living, — SOPHIA C., GEORGE G., OTTO H. W.,
        Emma M., Jacob A., Martha M. Those deceased were named, Martha A.,
        MARY M., JACOB A. W., IDA R. and LOUISA E. The three first named
        died within the same week of scarlet fever, in 1871, MARTHA and
        JACOB being buried in the same coffin. MRS. SPRIESS is the daughter
        of ABRAHAM and ANNA STARNAMAN; the mother was of foreign birth,
        being a native of Elsass, Germany, and the father of Pennsylvania,
        U.S. The daughter was born Feb. 11, 1844, in Rainham, Ont. She and
        her husband are zealous and prominent members of the German
        Lutheran Church, of which he is a Trustee. He is also a Republican
        of the most decided character, carrying into his politics and
        religion the same sturdy, inflexible traits that have enabled him
        to conquer all obstacles and make a success of his life's efforts.
           He has held the office of Justice of the Peace 14 years, has
        been School Director 13 years, both of which offices he still
        fills, Township Treasurer two years, and has served four terms as
        Village Trustee. He is engaged in insurance, and represents several
        companies. He is the manager of the office of the Western Union
        Telegraph Company at Sebewaing, and is the agent of the American
        Express Company.

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