JACOB MYERS is prominent among the farmers and stock men of Illiopolis Township, Sangamon County, where he has on section 29, one of the best equipped farms in the vicinity, and is quite extensively engaged in raising standard horses, cattle and hogs. A native of Berks County, Pa., our subject was born in Reamstown in 1831. His parents, Jacob and Deborah Ann (Hall) Myers, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland. His father was in early life a distiller. He subsequently went to Ohio, where he was engaged as an hotel keeper, and he finally died in that State forty-five years ago. After her husband's death Mrs. Myers came to Mechanicsburg, Ill., and died here eighteen years ago.

Our subject was reared principally in Ohio, and obtained his education in its public schools. He was only fifteen years old when he began to face the stern realities of life on his own account as a farm hand. He subsequently commenced farming for himself, and was thus occupied one year in Ohio prior to coming to Mechanicsburg, Ill., where he carried on agriculture until 1870. In that year he bought one hundred and twenty acres of wild prairie land at $18 an acre. He first lived in a small house near his present homestead, but soon erected the more commodious and substantial dwelling in which he now lives. He broke the prairie and planted the virgin soil and in time had one of the finest farms in the region under cultivation. He prospered and finally bought forty acres of land east of his original purchase on the same section, and now has his whole farm under substantial improvements. Of late years he has been greatly interested in raising fine horses, and in 1882 was one of three who imported Clydesdale horses from which have been bred some of the finest animals in the country. Mr. Myers keeps a first class grade of cattle and hogs for which he finds a good market and which are to him a profitable source of income. His farm is always kept in good order, and he "uses" brains as much as hands," to quote one of his own sayings, in the management of his affairs. He drives a handsome team, lives in ease and knows well how to enjoy life. He is a Methodist in religious faith, and gives liberally not only to the church, but to all things that will elevate the social and moral status of his township, or materially add to its prosperity. He is popular in society and for many years has been a leading Odd Fellow. He is also connected with the Farmer's Mutual Benefit Association. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and is quoted as progressive, honorable and industrious.

Mr. Myers was first married in 1852 to Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, a native of Pennsylvania. They passed life happily for several years until death separated them, Mrs. Myers dying in 1869. She left three children - William, Eli and Maria. The second marriage of our subject was with Miss Elizabeth McDaniel, a native of Kentucky, who was brought to Sangamon County when she was a small child. Mrs. Myers is a most estimable woman and knows well how to manager her household affairs to the best advantage. Of the three children born to her and our subject, Edward and Lena are at home; Oliver is married and lives in this township; Mr. Myers' children by his first marriage are also married and settled in life. Mr. Myers is the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren.