JACOB MAREAN, of Buckeye Township, is a Pennsylvanian by birth, his earliest recollections being of Juniata County, where he first opened his eyes to the light Aug. 17, 1838. His father, Aesabeus Marean, was born in Pennsylvania, and was the son of Jacob Marean, who was born in Germany. The grandfather of our subject when a young man came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was married, and reared a family of sons and daughters who were trained to habits of industry and economy.

Aesabeus learned the trade of a plasterer, and after his marriage purchased a farm in Juniata County. This was cultivated by hired men while Mr. Marean continued at his trade. His land increased in value, and he sold it in 1847 at a fair price. The year following, accompanied by his wife and seven children, he started for Illinois by canal to the Ohio River, and by means of that and the Mississippi River, they reached Galena in Jo Daviess County. There he hired a team to take his family and effects into this county. He first rented a house near Buena Vista, Buckeye Township, where they spent the winter, and in the spring went to Oneco Township and rented a small farm. This the wife and children cultivated, while the husband and father continued at his trade. In the meantime the latter had purchased 120 acres, which is now occupied by our subject, and for which he paid $3.50 per acre. The family removed to this farm, the father having put up a comfortable house, and he then continued to work at his trade while the sons managed the farm, until his death, which occurred in 1874. In the meantime he had added forty-four acres, and the whole now constituted a fine body of land, 154 acres in extent. This now comprises one of the most desirable farms in Buckeye Township, and is supplied with a shapely and substantial set of buildings.

The mother of our subject before her marriage, was Miss Elizabeth Miller, a native of Pennsylvania. She survived her husband less than a year, her death taking place in 1875. The seven children of the parental household all lived to mature years, and following the thrifty habits in which they had been reared, provided themselves in time with comfortable homes.

The subject of this biography was the fourth child of the parental household, and was a lad of ten years when his parents became residents of this county. He attended school during the winter seasons until quite well advanced in his studies, and as soon as old enough, his services were utilized on the farm. He remained a member of his father's household until twenty-two years of age. At this time came the outbreak of the Rebellion, which seemed a call upon him to lay aside his personal interests, and he enlisted with others of his acquaintance as a Union soldier. He was mustered into Co. A, 11th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war, participating in its most important battles. He was at Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and met the enemy in various minor engagements and skirmishes. At the expiration of his first term of enlistment, he veteranized in January, 1864, and was transferred to Co. B, 8th Ill. Vol. Inf. He served with this regiment until the fall of 1865, and then the war having closed, he was honorably discharged and returned home. Jacob Marean operated his father's farm until 1870, and then crossed the Mississippi into Pike County, Mo., where he purchased a tract of land upon which he lived seven years. Selling this, he returned to his old home in Illinois where he has since remained. The original dwelling was replaced in 1885 by an elegant new residence, and he also put up a large and convenient barn. These, with the other outbuildings and surroundings, invariably attract the admiration of the passing traveler, and denote the industry and enterprise of the owner.

Our subject was married, in the spring of 1868, to Miss Mary Bolender, a native of Oneco Township, and the daughter of Michael and Catherine (Decker) Bolender, native of Pennsylvania. Of this union there have been born four children, namely, Anna C., John F., William H. and Edith A. The family belongs to the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Marean, politically, is a stanch Republican. He presents an admirable picture of the self-made man, who began life dependent upon his own resources, and while accumulating a good home and a competence, has thoroughly established himself in the regard of his fellow-citizens.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 616