SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

Jacob Jung, Page 674

JACOB JUNG is one of the German pioneers who came to Sheboygan a poor man, and by honest toil and the exercise of good business ability gained a fortune.  He was born about twelve English miles from Carlsruhe, Baden, Germany, October 6, 1831.  His father Jacob Jung, who was a farmer by occupation, died October 29, 1846.  Up to that time the son had spent his time in school and on the farm.  Thus left to battle his own way in the world, Jacob began serving an apprenticeship at the wagon-maker's trade with his father's brother, completing the trade in two and a-half years.  The succeeding three years he traveled and worked at his trade.  Being called upon to serve as a soldier, he spent fifteen months in the German army.

    In 1853, Mr. Jung, with his mother and only sister, embarked aboard a sailing-vessel at Havre, France, and after a seven-weeks voyage dropped anchor in New York Harbor.  Going on to Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Jung worked about a year and a-quarter at his trade in that city.  The year 1854 witnessed his arrival in Sheboygan, which then gave little promise of becoming the thrifty city it now is.  For two and a-half months he worked for Brothers & Jones, wagon-makers, but money was scarce, and they were unable to pay their men, so he and Lawrence Artmann bought the business, and for twelve years continued together, the partnership being terminated by the death of Mr. Artmann, whereupon Mr. Jung became sole proprietor.  When they commenced the business, their force, aside from their own strong arms, consisted of a blacksmith and an apprentice boy.  Mr. Jung continued the business until 1887, when he sold out to his sons, Jacob, Jr., and William.  At the time of disposing of the business he had worked it up to extensive proportions, the plant consisting of a large building 24 x 75 feet, containing wood, paint and blacksmith-shop, a wareroom 25 x 60 feet, and a salesroom 21 x 55 feet.  All the buildings are two stories in height and built of brick.  He gave employment to from fifteen to twenty hands.  His sons have further improved the plant, and are doing a good business, being numbered among the leading business men of Sheboygan.

    Mr. Jung was married, in Sheboygan, March 25, 1855, to Miss Eleanora Wilke, who was born May 4, 1833, in Saxony, Germany, and, in 1852 came with her parents to the United States, locating in Sheboygan.  Of this marriage six children were born, as follows:  Clara, who is the wife of Theodore Kuechle, of Sheboygan; Jacob and William, who are carrying on the factory as above mentioned; Henry and Otto, who are wholesale boot and shoe dealers of the Evergreen City; and Alfred, who assists in the factory.

    Mr. and Mrs. Jung, as well as all of their children, are members of the Lutheran Church.  Mr. Jung has done not a little to upbuild Sheboygan.  Besides the large manufacturing industry worked up by him, he erected some twenty houses in the city.  He has the distinction of having erected the first brick shop in the place, also of having put in the first two-light windows in a residence, and that was in his present home in 1874.  Mr. Jung helped to establish the Sheboygan Boot and Shoe Factory, of which he is a Director.  he was active in starting the city gas works, and the Sheboygan Mutual Fire Insurance Company, being Secretary and Treasurer of the latter.  Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and has served as a member of the City Council.

    From the above facts, it will be seen that Mr. Jung has made an exceptional record.  Conservative in his business methods, honorable in his dealings, public-spirited and liberal-minded, he is a good representative of that class of citizens known as German-Americans.