Transcribed by Deb Thormahlen

p. 463

Jacob Smaltz is a farmer on section 23, Ustick Township.  He was born in Germany Nov. 9, 1814, and is the son of George and Kathrina Smaltz, who were also natives of Germany.  He was married in his native land, Sept. 25, 1846, to Anna Fichter, and they are now the parents of ten children – Jacob, Mathias, Anna, Christiana, Dora, George, Mary, John, Eliza and William.

            Mr. Smaltz emigrated with his wife and children to the United States in 1852.  He went first to Ohio, where he lived 10 years, coming, in 1862, to Whiteside County.  Soon after his arrival in Illinois he bought 80 acres of land in Ustick Township, on which he has since lived.  He has exerted the thrift and energy which make continued existence possible in his own country, on the acres which he owns in Illinois, and has shown the worth of one man in the field of well directed effort.  The habits he formed from necessity in early life have proved resources of profit to him under the privileges of a republic.  He is now the owner of 203 acres in Whiteside County and 160 acres in Iowa.  The home farm displays buildings of an excellent and valuable type.  Politically Mr. Smaltz is a Democrat.  He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.