JACOB B. SCHRACK, retired farmer, besides his attractive village residence at Orangeville, is the proprietor of a country home in Winslow Township. The former occupies an elevated position in the eastern part of town, the location being more than ordinarily attractive. He has occupied this since the spring of 1876, at which time it was completed, being finished and furnished in modern style. Mr. Schrack's case is a forcible illustration of the results of industry and perseverance which are evidenced by his comfortable surroundings, including all the necessaries and many of the luxuries of life.

The subject of this biography is a native of Centre County, Pa., and was born in Sugar Valley, June 16, 1824. His father, John Schrack, and his grandfather of the same name, were natives of Montgomery County, the latter being a stonemason by trade. He first removed to Union County, and thence to Centre County, locating there about 1800, and being the third settler in the Sugar Creek Valley. The removal was made with ox-teams, and there the paternal grandfather of our subject cleared a farm from the wilderness and spent the remainder of his life. His remains were laid to rest in the family burying-ground on the farm which is still owned by his descendants.

John Schrack was a young boy when his parents became residents of Centre County, Pa., and there he developed into manhood and was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Brocious, a native of that county. He purchased a tract of land which his father had improved, and upon it spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1846, and being buried in the spot consecrated as the sepulture of that branch of the family. His wife, Catherine, the mother of our subject, died about 1834, when her son Jacob was but a lad of ten.

Jacob Schrack was reared on his father's farm in Centre County, Pa., where he assisted in the labors of the homestead until a youth of sixteen, and then commenced the trade of a tanner. At this he served an apprenticeship of three years, but worked as a journeyman only one day thereafter. Upon reaching his majority he repaired to Phila-delphia and for a year was employed as a laborer on the extension of the Schuylkill Canal, after which he returned home and began to make preparations for a removal westward.

In the spring of 1847 our subject started for Illinois, traveling by stage to Erie, Pa., thence by the lake to Detroit, and from there by rail to Michigan, City, where he took a stage which landed him finally at Freeport, Ill. He had traded a part of the old homestead for land in the Buckeye State, and was thus furnished with means to make a purchase in Illinois. Upon the latter stood a small log cabin, and about two and one-half acres were broken. Being still unmarried he boarded out, working at his trade and other-wise until 1850. In the spring of that year he was married, and settling upon his land commenced in earnest its improvement and cultivation. In due time he had his land fenced and provided with a good set of frame buildings. He occupied the homestead which he had thus built up by his industry and perseverance until 1874. In the spring of that year he rented out the farm and took up his residence in Orangeville, where he has since resided. The dwelling which he now occupies was erected in 1876, and with its surroundings is considered one of the most desirable homes in the village.

The marriage of Jacob B. Schrack and Miss Elizabeth Baumgardner was celebrated in Clarno Township, Wis., in the spring of 1850. Mrs. S. is a native of Cambria County, Pa., and was born in 1835. Of this union there have been born three children: Clara, Mrs. Ocker, is a resident of Oneco Township; Villa, Mrs. White, is a resident of Green County, Wis.; and Ida died in 1865. The second wife of our subject, to whom he was married in 1866, was formerly Mrs. Lydia Karstter, a native of York County, Pa., the daughter of Jacob Miller, and widow of Henry Karstter. Of this union there is one child, a son, John. Our subject is a member in good standing of the United Brethren Church, and Mrs. S. belongs to the Evangelical Church.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 447