Jacob H. and Meene J. (Heyen) Tjaden 
|
|
The following sketch is copied verbatim from an edition of "Woodford County, Illinois, Portrait and Biographical Album" Produced by CHAPMAN BROS. Chicago. Copyright 1889 |
|
JACOB H. TJADEN is denominated one of the best and most skilful farmers of Illinois. He stands among the foremost men of that calling in Woodford County, where, by uncommon capacity, energetic enterprise and shrewd foresight, he has accumulated a fortune. An early settler of Linn Township, he may rightly be considered one of its public benefactors, as it was through his example and influence that this large body of land, much of which was so low and swampy as to be considered unfit for cultivation, was drained and reclaimed from its wild state, and now constitutes one of the finest farming regions in the state. Mr. Tjaden owns here one of the largest and most substantially improved farms in this section of the country, and here he and his good wife contentedly and happily, somewhat retired from the active labors of life, in a beautiful and orderly home. Mr. Tjaden is a native of the province of Hanover, Germany, June 17, 1817, the day of his birth in that faraway country across the sea. His parental grandfather, Ludwig Tjaden, and his father, Heika Tjaden, were born in the same province, and there their entire lives were passed. His father served in the German army a few years, and afterward engaged in his farming operations. He was a well-educated man and a practical farmer, and he took pains to instruct his children in agriculture as well as in books, and by early training they became model farmers. This wise, able, prudent, highly esteemed man departed this life in 1843, leaving his community to mourn the loss of its best citizen and his family of a kind husband and a wise, tender father. There were eleven children born to him and his wife, of whom the following six came to America: Jacob H., Theda, Mary, Ludwig, Katherina and Reinhard. Jacob, of whom we write, attended school from the age of five years till he was fifteen, gaining in the excellent schools of his native land a substantial education. After leaving school he became of great assistance to his father in carrying on his farm work, and remained an inmate of the parental household till after his fathers death. In 1857, in the prime of a vigorous manly manhood, he came to America. He set set sail from Bremen, and ten weeks later landed in New Orleans, and from the Crescent City made his way by the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Peoria, where he spent the winter. In the following spring he came to this county, and commenced life here by renting land in Linn Township. After the war he bought 160 acres of land in Linn Township, and from time to time he invested his money in other land, till he now owns 720 acres of as fine farming land as is to be found anywhere in this region. When Mr. Tjaden located here he found the greater part of the township so low and flat that water stood on it almost the year round, rendering it unfit for cultivation. His keen, practiced eye saw that by drainage and proper cultivation, it would make superior soil for farming purposes, and he was the first to agitate the subject of its complete drainage. The people could with difficulty be brought to believe in the possibility of its reclamation. But he set about draining his land, and, having the law on his side compelled others to do the same with their land, proved to its present fine condition. In 1888 Mr. Tjaden erected a fine brick house, with all the conveniences, while it is neatly and tastefully furnished, and in this retreat he and his wife are enjoying the ample fortune that he has accumulated, surrounded by their children, whom they have reared to be useful and honored members of society. Mr. Tjaden and Miss Mana E. Hine, a native of Hanover, were united in marriage in 1844, and they have seven children living: Heika, John, Menke, Henry, Jacob, Ludwig and Herman. The three youngest were born in America. They have one of the pleasantest and most attractive homes in Linn Township, where every comfort is provided for its inmates, and hospitality reigns supreme. It will be seen in perusing this brief outline of the life of our subject, that he is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, thoughtfulness and diversification, bring a well-trained, practical mind bear on the problems of agriculture, with which we have seen, he has so successfully combines with an energetic, pushing disposition careful and methodical habits. His business like actions, though shrewd and keen, and managed with a view to profit, are always fair and perfectly honest. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat who lends material aid to his party in this part of the county. Religiously, both he and his esteemed wife are devoted members of the Lutheran Church and they may truly be said to live up to their professions of Christianity. |
