Jacob Albright, of Kent Township, is a prosperous farmer, living on section 7, and the view of his homestead which will be found on another page, illustrates moreforcibly than any words which we can employ, the nature of his standing in the community, his skill as an agriculturist, and his good judgment as a business man. His parents were George and Mary B. Albright; the father was born in York County, Pa., and the mother in Centre County of that State. After marriage, they settled in Canton, Ohio, the mother going there in 1817, while the father did not join her until one year later. They lived there until their death, and had twelve children, of whom our subject was the fifth child.

Jacob Albright was born in Stark County, Ohio, Feb. 14, 1826. He lived at home on the farm with his father until he was just twenty years old, and then learned the carpenter's trade, following this occupation until the spring of 1848, when he came to Stephenson County with his wife, and lived in Freeport four and a half years working at his trade.

When Mr. Albright came to Kent Township, he lived near Yellow Creek about two and a half years, and then settled where he now resides. He has erected good and substantial buildings on bis farm, and is the owner of 275 acres, most of which is valuable land. He began life poor, and has acquired his property by his own industry, with the help of his estimable wife. He was married in Stark County, Ohio, March 23, 1848, to Miss Martha Erwin, the daughter of David and Sarah (Rudy) Erwin, who came to Stephenson County in 1848, and settled in Kent Township, where they have since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Erwin had seven children, of whom Mrs. Albright is the eldest. She was born in Lancaster County, Pa., May 8, 1830.

Mr. and Mrs. Albright have had fifteen children —Lydia A., Charles H., David E., Mary B., Sarah C., Benjamin F., William R., Almeda L., George A., Emma J., Lizzie R., John E,. Jacob L. and Allen A.; one child died in infancy, and Lydia died when eight months old; Charles H. married Lovina A. Keiser, and resides in Kent Township; David E. married Nancy J. Stewart, and resides in Colorado; Mary B. is the wife of Adolphus Dammier, and resides in Kent township; Sarah is the wife of P. A. Soul, and resides in Erin Township; Benjamin F. married Nancy Brien, and resides in Nebraska.

Mr. Albright has held the office of Highway Commissioner, was elected Justice of the Peace, has been Constable, and since 1857 a School Director of the township. Mrs. Albright religiously, is a Dunkard. In politics, Mr. A. is a Democrat. Their home is highly creditable to those who have built it up; their children have been well raised and educated, and the family in all respects is prominent among the well-to-do residents of Kent Township.

Contributed by Karen Hammer
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 p. 329-330