EDWARD AND CATHERINE ADELIA GEAR JACOBS

Edward Jacobs was born on March 21, 1877 in Chesaning, Saginaw County, Michigan to George and Elizabeth Ruff Jacobs. He married Catherine Adelia Gear on January 10, 1899 in Hemlock, Saginaw County, Michigan. At the time of their marriage, Edward was living in St. Charles, Saginaw County, Michigan, and Catherine was living with her parents in Hemlock, Saginaw County; Michigan. Catherine was born on December 22, 1879 in Ingersoll Township, Midland County, Michigan to John and Catherine Burns Gear. Catherine Burns Gear was born in County Kilkinney, Ireland on January 12, 1841 to parents Thomas and Elizabeth Ryan Burns. Catherine's sisters were Mary Elizabeth Beckley and Margaret Genack; they were all neighbors to one another living in Lakefield Township in 1916.

Edward and Catherine had the following children:

1. Francis “Frank” G. Jacobs was born December 3, 1901 in Lakefield Township. Frank married Bertha M. Westfall on November 20, 1928. Frank died on September 2, 1967.

2. Leo B. Jacobs was born January 21, 1903 in Lakefield Township. Leo married Elsie Kunitzer on February 4, 1930. Leo died on February 18, 1979.

3. Sister Mary Modesta (Teresita) Jacobs was born in 1905 ?. She entered the Mercy Sister Convent in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in September, 1922 and died August 13, 1939

4. Catherine Elizabeth Jacobs was born July 18, 1906 in Lakefield Township. Catherine married John “Joseph” Kalahar. Catherine and Joseph were married in June 1927. Catherine died on January 19, 1996. They are buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lakefield Township.

5. Rachael Tresa Jacobs was born April 16, 1908 and died on September 22, 1908 of Cholera. She is buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lakefield Township.

6. Edward J. Jacobs was born June 25, 1913 in Lakefield Township. Edward Jr. married Alma Fleming. Edward died April 27, 1986. He is buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lakefield Township.

7. Kenneth “George” Jacobs was born May 12, 1916 died young of malaria in 1920. He is buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lakefield Township.

Edward and Catherine owned and operated an 80 acre farm in Section 12 of Lakefield Township on Steele Road between Swan Creek and Roosevelt Roads. Their neighbors in 1916 were: Patrick Crowley, Albert S. Cooper, Thomas Genack, L.J. Pratt, Lewis Liebrock, Edward Siler. Dan H. McLeod and J.A. Beckley.

Edward registered to vote on April 1, 1908 in Lakefield Township and Catherine on February 8, 1919. Catherine was one of the first ladies to register to vote in Lakefield Township after the women's suffrage movement.

Edward died on September 18, 1948 and Catherine on July 22, 1977. They are both buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lakefield Township.

 SOURCES: 1916 Lakefield Twp. Plat Map; Lakefield Twp. Records; Della Miller McKay's obituary collection; Tress Gear McNenley genealogy; Edward and Catherine Gear Jacob's marriage record; Edward Jacob's WWI draft registration; Edward Jr., Leo B. and Frank G. Jacob's obituaries; Ann Kalahar Wisniewski; Find-A-Grave of Theresa R. & George K. Jacobs; and Rachael Jacob's death record. 1910 and 1920 Lakefield Township United States Census.