Jacob Colver, Westfield, was born August 23, 1806, in Leigh County, Penn. His parents, Jacob and Susan (Miller) Colver, were natives of the same State, where they died. His grand-parents came from New England and are of English descent. His mother is of German descent.
Jacob Colver is one of a family of eleven children, who were all married. He is the only one who has made Bureau County his home. He came to Illinois via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, landing in Rock Island in December 1845. He remained the winter in Como, Ill., and the next spring came to Princeton, where he followed his trade.
In 1849 he went overland to California, where he worked in the gold mines with moderate success, returning to Hennepin, Ill., via Panama and New Orleans. He farmed that year near Princeton and in the spring of 1853 removed to Westfield Township, where he had made a claim of 160 acres as early as 1847. He improved the land and added to it from time to time till at present he has 551 acres in Hall and Westfield Townships. Mr. Colver has been a very successful farmer and his success is die to his industry and good management. He is now reaping his reward and enjoying his competence. He is fast approaching the good old age of four score years and today, in the evening of life, surrounded by happy children and grandchildren, he can be content with a retrospect of the past and calmly await the future.
Religiously he is connected with the Lutheran Church, but also supports other churches. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.
Mr. Colver was joined in marriage in Pennsylvania, in April 17, 1830, to Mary A. Hoffman, daughter of Michael and Mary A (Shirey) Hoffman, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Colver was born October 23, 1806, in Leigh County, Penn. She shared her husband’s trials in early life and was a faithful helpmeet. She died here June 4, 1880. Seven children were the result of this union, viz: Edward; Sarah C., deceased; Emeline S., deceased; Mary A., deceased; Eliza J., Jacob H., and Ellen L. Of the above, Edward Colver, of Leadville. Colo., married Hannah Webb, deceased; four children. Viz.: Melissa, Clara, Edward, and Lotta. Emeline S. Colver married William Tilden; Children, seven: Jacob, William, Eunice, John, Alice, Ettie and Nettie, twins. Mary A. Colver married Owen Beil; one child, Sarah E. Biel. Elza J. Colver, now a resident of Livingston County, Ill., married Ethan Jackson, Allen L. Colver, now of Storm Lake, Iowa, married Charley Edwards; Children three, viz: Frank, Elbert and Eldon, the latter deceased. Jacob H. Colver married Anna Miller; children ten. Viz.: Howard L., Mary A. G., Ralph W., Jacob M., Laura A., Eliza J., Mabel E., Phoebe, Edward Clyde, deceased, and George Roland. Jacob H. Colver enlisted November 24, 1861, in Company D, of the Fifty-first Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served nearly four years. He participated in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Resaca. At the latter battle he was shot through the arm and transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. Since the war he has been a farmer in Bureau County.
Source: History of Bureau County, Illinois, H. C. Bradsby, Editor. World Publishing Company Chicago 1885