From
History of Allegan County, Michigan
Compiled by Dr. Henry F. Thomas (Lewis
Publishing 1907)
Biography of Jacob Slagel (married Mary
Punches)
Submitted by Shirley Carrick
Jacob F SLAGEL_‑The
spirit of self‑help is the source of all genuine worth, and it is
this that conquers adversity, overcomes obstacles and wins success.
Such a spirit has been the dominating influence in the life of Jacob
F. Slagel, an enterprising merchant of the village of Hopkins, where
he is dealing in lumber, coal, building materials, doors, sash and
interior finishings. He has a good trade in these various lines and
his efforts are a factor in the commercial development and business
prosperity of the village. A native of Marion county, Ohio, he was
born on the 14th of April, 1855, his parents being Tobias and Mary (Akom)
Slagel, who, in 1863, came to Allegan county, settling two miles
west of Salem Center upon a. new farm in Salem township. The father
improved about eighty acres of land and his place comprised one
hundred and twenty acres. 4e thereon built a brick house and two
barns, transforming his property into one of the best farms of Salem
township. For many years he successfully carried on .general
agricultural pursuits but about a year ago he sold his farm and is
now living with his children, his wife having died shortly before
the sale of the farm. Unto them were born four children: Jacob;
Elizabeth, now the wife of Bert Purdy, of Allegany county, New York;
Carolina, the wife of Charles Miller, who resides upon the old
Slagel homestead, and Frederick, who is engaged in farming near
Dorr.
Jacob F. Slagel was reared on the old home place
until twenty‑two years of age and assisted in the various duties
connected with the further development and improvement of the farm.
He had also learned the carpenter's trade, and after working for
some time in the employ of others began contracting on his own
account. At a later date he again spent two years upon his farm but
with this exception has continued as a contractor and builder,
erecting a number of buildings in Allegan and throughout the
northern part of the county. He made his home in Salem until about
four years ago, when he removed to Hopkins and he owns a farm in
Salem township. He employed from two to six men in his building
operations and many substantial structures stand as monuments to his
thrift and enterprise. Coming to Hopkins, he opened a coal and
lumber yard in 1903, succeeding Mr. Streeter after his death. He has
about four thousand dollars invested in the stock and does an annual
business amounting to about ten thousand dollars. He has extended
the scope of his activities by dealing also in building materials,
doors, sash and interior finishings, as well as in coal and wood and
he has a good trade. Prior to becoming owner of the business he had
built the lumber sheds for Mr. Streeter, who died, however, just as
the business was being started. Mr. Slagel has met with success from
the beginning and his patronage has steadily increased until it has
now reached very gratifying proportions. He has also erected a nice
residence in Hopkins,
In Salem, at the age of twenty‑two years, Mr. Slagel was
united in marriage to Miss
Mary Punches, a daughter of George Punches, of Salem. She,
too, is a native of Ohio, and was brought to Michigan in her
girlhood days. They now have a family of two children: Tillie May,
who was formerly a teacher and is now the wife of Pearl Gibson, who
is in the lumber yard, and Laura Etta, the wife of Fritz Christman,
of Allegan.
Mr. Slagel gives his political allegiance to the
Democracy. He has served as highway commissioner in Salem and has
filled various offices in the Odd Fellows' lodge, which he has also
represented in the Grand Lodge. He has likewise served as district
deputy and for twenty years has been closely associated with this
organization. He is also a Mason and is now tyler of the lodge in
Hopkins. His business interests have brought him a wide acquaintance
through the northern part of the county and the qualities he has
displayed in all his relations with his fellowmen, whether of a
public or private nature, have won for him uniform confidence and
esteem, while his business enterprise and intelligently directed
efforts have brought him a gratifying measure of success.