Jacob Kleopfer came to America in 1842 at the age of 18 from Bavaria, Germany.
He is reported to have traveled here with five of his brothers. His future
wife, Maria Schambach and he
traveled on the same sailing ship, but did not previously know each other.
(A conflicting report has Maria arriving in America in 1840, two years earlier.)
Maria was born in Darmstadt, Germany. Maria was only 14 and traveled with
her Aunt and Uncle Cash. At that time passengers furnished enough food to
last during the long passage. Maria settled in Madison and Kent, Indiana
with the Cash family. She later worked in Madison. She married Jacob in St.
Louis in 1846 and lived there for a while. They later moved from St. Louis
to Iowa where they farmed (see The
Iowa Connection). Their first child, George was born in Indiana in 1850.
They then traveled to California by wagon train in 1852 during the gold rush
and settled near Sacramento. Their trip to California was part of a caravan
of 18 wagons by way of the Oregon Trail. The pioneers organized themselves
into small companies, and strict discipline was required because of the perilous
nature of the route. Indian attacks, cholera epidemics, grass fires, storms,
and floods were among the many hazards. The trail passed through stretches
of barren country, and people and animals alike frequently faced fatigue
and hunger. Jacob and Maria used horses for the trip, while others drove
oxen. They led cows behind the wagon and kept chickens underneath to be eaten
along the way. They found that the Platte River had flooded, so they camped
along the river until it was safe to ford. Several babies were born along
the trip west and one person died and was buried along the trail. Maria said
that it wasn't easy traveling with their young child, George, and that they
were certainly happy to reach California.
They lived in or near Sacramento where he may have worked in the mines and
she ran a boarding house. It is believed that the boarding house operation
proved to be a profitable venture in addition to whatever the prospecting
for gold provided. They did buy ground in California (they were said to have
staked off a 160 acre farm in the Sacramento Valley, just east of Sacramento
near Coloma, California). Sophia (1853), Mary Ann (1855), Elizabeth (1857),
and Jacob (1859) were all born in California.
The Will of Jacob Kleopfer:
Known all Men by these present that I, Jacob Kleopfer of Republican Township. Jeff Co. and State of Ind. being in ill health and of sound and disposing mind and memory do make declare and publish this my last Will and Testament.
Item 1st - I give and devise to my beloved wife Mary during her natural life all my property both real and personal that I may be possessed of at my death, viz.: the farm on which we now live situated in Rep. Township, Jeff Co. State of Ind. containing abt. 159 acres and all the stock, household goods, furniture, provisions and all other goods and chattels which may be known at the time of my decease my executor having after maintained selling so much thereof - as may be sufficient to pay all my just debts; at the death said wife I give and bequeath to each of my children or their heirs equally share and share alike of all my remaining property as I shall here mention, viz.: Jacob, Mary, Lizzie,
Philip, Will, Charley, Maggie and to these seven share and share alike. Of all that remains after giving to my daughter Sophie one hundred dollars being the amount I give to her at my death and to my son Louis five dollars it being the amount I give to him at my death and to my son George I will and bequeath to him two shares; that is, just as much money as anyone of the seven here before mentioned. I do hereby appoint my son Jacob, executor of this my last Will and Testament, authorizing him to compromise, adjust, release and discharge in such manner as he may deem proper the debts and claims. I do also authorize and empower him if it shall become necessary in order to pay my debts to sell by private sale, or in such a manner in such times of credit, or either will as he may think proper to pay my indebtedness and if my wife Mary should again marry I wish all my property to be divided among my children or their heirs as above stated at the time of the marrying of my wife Mary. I do hereby revoke all other wills by me made.
In testimony Whereof - I have herewith set my hand and seal this 20th day of June 1894. Signed and acknowledged by said Jacob Klopfer as his last Will and Testament of all presence and signed by us in his presence.
Abraham W. Bennet - Kent
John G. Fisher
20th day of June 1894
Probated - Mar. 2, 1896 State of Ind., Co. of Jefferson
Be it remembered that on the 2nd day of March 1896 Abraham W. Bennett appeared in the Clerks office of the Jeff. Circuit Court and being duly sworn, on his oath that he saw the said Jacob Kleopfer sign and seal the foregoing paper as his will, and that he with John G. Fisher subscribed the same as witnesses in the presence of each other and in the presence and at the request of said Jacob Kleopfer and that said Jacob Kleopfer was at the time of making and executing said paper as his will, of full age to devise his property and of sound mind and memory and not under coercion and restraints and that he did publish and declare the same to be his will. A.W. Bennett, Subscribed and sworn to before me this 2nd day of Mar. 1896, John W. Tevis, Clerk, J.C.C.
(Below is a Madison Courier obituary for Jacob Kleopfer)
Death of an Old Citizen.
Jacob Kleopfer died near Kent Sunday, February 23, 1896 at 11 AM. Mr. Kleopfer was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 6, 1824: came to America when eighteen years old: was married to Mary Schambach in 1846, in St. Louis. From There they moved to Iowa, and later to California, where they remained eight years. At the opening of the war they came here. Mr. Kleopfer served one year in the Union army. In late years he has been in ill health, but his death was sudden and unexpected. He leaves his companion of almost 50 years of wedded life, 10 children and 20 grandchildren. The deceased was a member of the German M. E. Church. The internment will take place tomorrow at 10 am at the house, and 11 o'clock at the church on Kent road, and will be conducted by Rev. C. G. Fritsche.
His Civil War discharge papers indicate that Jacob was 5'8" with light brown hair. Photograph.
Jacob Kleopfer is buried at the Zoar Cemetery in Jefferson County, Indiana.