From History of Walworth County Wisconsin, Vol. II, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Publ. 1912 - Page 1096-1098 JACOB MAAS. That grit and perseverance win in the battle for material things in this world is seen on every hand, no matter what may be the things attempted. An excellent exemplification in this line as applying to agricultural pursuits is seen in the record of Jacob MAAS, one of our thrifty and deserving German citizens, who, after an exceptionally strenuous career, is now living in honorable retirement in his pleasant home in the fair city of Lake Geneva. Mr. MAAS was born in Greilsheim, Wurtenburg, Germany, January 28, 1850. He is the son of John Philip and Maria (MAYERS) MAAS. The father died when the subject was six years old and the mother when he was eight. He then went to live with his aunt, with whom he remained until he was sixteen. In the summers he worked on the farm and in the winter wove cloth. When twenty years old he left home and family and emigrated to the United States, landing in New York City on July 18, 1870, and he worked for gardeners and dairymen on Long Island. In April 1871, he came to Chicago, where he remained until the great fire the following October, then came to Lyons, Walworth county, Wisconsin, and worked out on the farms in that vicinity. He saved his earnings and about 1880 bought a farm of eighty acres in Bloomfield township, adding another eighty to his belongings four years later, and five or six years after that he bought another forty. He prospered as the years went by through his close application and good management, and he is now the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land there, on which he carried on general farming and stock raising until the year 1904 when, having accumulated a competency, he retired from the active duties of life, put one of his sons on the place and he and his wife moved to Lake Geneva, where they have since resided. Mr. MAAS's start in life was interesting. He saved eight hundred dollars by working out and this he paid on his first eighty acres, going in debt for the rest. Working on through all difficulties, he succeeded. Mr. MAAS was married in 1875 to Maria GAUGER, who was born in Germany, and who came here with her parents when a young girl, being reared in Lyons township, this county. Two children were born to the subject and wife, William and Loretta. The former married Marie URSPRUNG, a native of Germany, who emigrated to America about 1897; they have three children, Karl, Loretta and Roy. William has a farm of his own in the northwestern part of Bloomfield township. Loretta MAAS married William VOGT and they live on a farm near Bloomfield Center, this county. They have three children, Clifford, Irma and Helen. Jacob MAAS's first wife died in 1879, and in 1880 he was united in marriage with Bertha RAKOW, daughter of Edward and Louise (BAUGER) RAKOW. She was born in Berlin, Germany, and when about six months old her parents brought her to America. Her father was a tailor in Berlin, and in 1853 he came to Burlington, Wisconsin, and established himself in an early day, being among the pioneers of that city, only a few families having settled there before his advent, and there he became influential and successful. He was the first tailor in that place. There was but one merchant, one banker and one doctor when he came. Mr. RAKOW lived there the rest of his life, continuing active work until an old man. His death occurred about 1891. To Mr. MAAS and his last wife three children have been born: Edward, who is operating his father's farm in North Bloomfield, married Elsie AMBORN, of Genoa Junction, and they have a daughter, Ruth; Jacob, who married Vera HOLLENBECK, is now employed on a farm in Honey Creek township, and they have one child, a daughter, Leta; Elvira, the youngest of the subject's children, lives at home in Lake Geneva. Mr. MAAS and family belong to the First Lutheran church in Lake Geneva. They have won many friends since moving to this city and stand high in all circles in which they move. Submitted by Carol