By: Mark Holtsberry
John Marconi Jacobs was born September 7, 1886 in Paulding Township. The son of Marconi Pettit born March 14, 1838 in Ohio and Ellen (Stout) Jacobs born May 4, 1842 in Ohio. This couple was married August 24, 1865 in Paulding, Ohio. Now this was not Marconi’s first wife. He was married to Mary Arbella Goshorn in 1858, she passed away in 1863.
They had a son, Edwin, who was born in 1859. By 1870, this couple along with four children, Edwin born 1859, Elmer E. born 1862, George Warren born August of 1866, and Zona J. born December of 1869, were living in Antwerp and Marconi was engaged in farming. By 1880, the couple had eight children. Adding Alphius A. in 1871, Claude in September of 1874, Fred in December of 1875, and Florence Clara in May of 1878.
In October of 1882, a son, Robert Bert Jacobs was born. Followed by John Marconi Jacobs in 1886. By 1900 the Jacobs family was living in Antwerp. John was a student in school. His father was elected County Commissioner. By 1910, the family had moved to North Main Street in Antwerp. John was working for his dad as a clerk in a grocery store.
John was the only child still living at home as the rest of the children had left to make a mark in the world. Sometime after 1911, John had moved to Cleveland, Ohio. He worked as a stock room clerk at the Cleveland Worm Gear Company, located at East 40th and Payne Line Street.
On September 20, 1917, John’s brother Fred passed away. He was buried in Maumee Cemetery, Antwerp. As the world was going to war, the United States issued a draft registration. On September 9, 1918, John registered for the draft. He was listed as tall, medium build, blue eyes and brown hair. John served on the U.S.S. Pennsylvania as a seaman 2 class. He developed pneumonia and after a struggle to recover, on October 13, 1918, John lost his battle to live. After being brought home from Cleveland, a Free Masons burial was conducted. The services were held at the family home Wednesday, October 15th at 1:30 P.M. with the Rev. Freed officiating. Burial was at the Maumee Cemetery. Burial in lot 500, grave 4. John’s father, Marconi Pettit Jacobs, passed away June 8, 1925 followed by his wife Ellen Jacobs April 18, 1927.
