Jacob Jahns

Jacob Jahns was the first of my Jahns' to immigrate to the United States from Germany, coming in 1866 and settling with his wife and family in Marine Twsp, Madison County, Illinois.  He was born in Hanover around 1816, married his wife Caroline Bierbaum about 1849 in Hanover, and started their family there, having all of their children but one born in Hanover, the youngest coming after their move to Illinois.  Caroline was born April 7, 1826, also in Hanover.  The only other Jahns I have found in Madison County are Henry Jahns, born about 1812 in Hanover, and Christian Jahns, born about 1817, also in Hanover; I have often wondered if they are brothers with my Jacob, or cousins, but have not chased that rabbit yet.
Jacob and Caroline had the following children: Charles  Dec. 1849, Frederick 1853, William 1856, Herman 1858, Wilhemina 1864, and then George, the Illinois baby, 1870.

On the 1870 Census, Jacob is a farmer, Caroline "keeping house", and the older sons farm hands. They are living in Madison County, Post Office Marine, Twsp 4, Range 6.

According to the Ag Schedule, Jacob has 40 acres.
The 1880 Census has the family still living in Madison County, but they are now in Range 8, and only frederick, Minnie, and George are still at home, the others having married and started their own families.

Jacob now has 125 acres.
Jacob is deceased by 1887, as this is when I begin to find Caroline in the St. Louis City Directories, listed as the "widow of Jacob".  I have been unable to locate a death record or a tombstone for him.
Caroline lives at the rear of 211 Soulard from 1887 to 1898, with George living with her intermittingly.  In 1899, she is living at 1421 Palm, which is where we find her on the 1900 census.

Minnie, a seamtress, and George, a steam-fitter, are also living with her.  Her son William and his family are also living in St. Louis.
In 1910, Caroline is now living with the William Jahns' at their home at 3434 Michigan Avenue.

Caroline then passes away on January 11, 1916, after a bout with pneumonia.

So, there's my quik rundown on the beginning of my Jahns' family in the U.S.  I am descended from their first child, Charles, and will give a rundown on him and his family next week.