Jacob A. Fast ^{3 4}

  Noted events in his life were:

• He appeared on the 1880 US Census in Princeville, IL on 22 June 1880. ³

1880 US Census
Page 366A, District 224, Dwelling 272, Family 274, Roll 241
Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois
Jacob A. Fast..Head..61..OH..Farmer
(Living with wife, 2 sons, and mother-in-law.)

NOTE - If his birth date was 19 Apr 1820, then his age should have been 60 instead of 61.
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• His obituary was published in the Princeville Telephone in December 1909 in Princeville, IL.

⁴ DEATH CLAIMS JACOB A. FAST

Jacob A. Fast, a time-honored and respected citizen of Princeville, died at his home last Friday morning at 10:30 o'clock. He was in his ninetieth year, the oldest person in the village, yet when death's call came he was out at working his garden, as was his custom when he wished to take exercise. He had been out for some little time when it was observed by his wife that he had fallen over. She hastened to where he lay and found him dead. Heart trouble, from which he had suffered at times in his later years, had caused his death.

Mr. Fast had always been a man of strictly temperate habits and clean, simple and upright living. He was one of the early pioneers of this community, and he, with his wife, which survives him, endured the hardships incident to such a life and which can be known only to those who have experienced it. He had a strong physical constitution, as his long life would indicate and was endowed his unusual energy and determinate characteristics which made it ???able to endure by the life of hardships entailed by early pioneer life. His native thrift and industry enabled him early in life to acquire a competency, but satisfied what seemed to him an abundance of this world's good, he had lived a retired life for many years previous to his death.

The name of Jacob Fast will always be identified with the social and municipal history of the village. He was a charter member of the Masonic order here, and previous to his death was one of the only two surviving charter members, the other being Mr. George W. Scott of Wyoming. He was a man of deep and abiding religious convictions and was for many years pervious to his death a member of the Methodist church. He never failed to take an active interest in the civic affairs of the village, even in later years and always allied himself with the element that stood for what he thought was the best and highest interest of the community. He was not without his fault. No man is. But his virtues as a man in his house, in his social and business relations, as a neighbor and as a citizen of the community, far out-weighted any of his shortcomings. He was such a man as all men respect and honor, as friends remember with esteem and as those nearest to him by earthly ties revere and love. His life was a long, honorable, useful and happy one and in his death he thus bequeaths to his children the greatest possible legacy'97the heritage of a good name.
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"Jacob A. Fast was born on the 18th of April, 1820 in the township of Orange, Ashland county, Ohio and died Dec. 3rd, 1909, aged 89 years, 7 months and 14 days of rounding out the unusual length of a human life of ninety years. He was a member of numerous family of brothers and sisters, nine of whom attained adulthood and all of whom have preceded him to the other shore except one brother, aged and infirm, a resident of the state of Missouri.

On the 22nd day of January, 1846 he was united in marriage to Martha Stouffer, now the bereft companion, with whom, hand in hand, he journeyed in happy marriage relation over a period extending nearly sixty four years. To them four sons were born'97Allen, the eldest, and Milton the youngest, both living: Emmett and Charlie deceased. He also left twelve grandchildren.

In the spring of 1853 with the view of advancing his material interests and bettering his financial condition he left his native state, journeying in the tide of emigration westward, arriving in Princeville on the 19th day of June, the same year, where he continuously resided until the date of his death. In business life he was energetic and industrious. Indolence from his viewpoint was a crime. In his dealings with his fellow man it may be said he was urgent and exacting in the payment of every claim due to him. It can be said more truthfully that none more prompt in meeting financial obligation. Indeed he was restless until all claims were fully met and cancelled. In social life he was pleasant and agreeable, as a neighbor accommodating, as a friend trustworthy and reliable. In domestic relation it was happiness unalloyed. The club room and the banqueting hall had no charms for him. His home was his haven.
"In the year 18731, under the pastorate of Edward Wasmuth, he was converted and joined the M. E. church in Princeville. He was always faithful to his vows and prompt in the discharge of every religious duty, public or private. Towards the close of his life his hearing became so much impaired that he could no longer take part in the services of the church. Occasionally, however he attended public services, remarking to his wife at the time. 'possibly my presence may encourage some one.' At the date of his death he was the oldest person in the village. In his passing he will be mourned by his family and his memory cherished by a wide circle of friends.
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The funeral service was held on Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the Methodist church and although the weather was bad it was largely attended. The funeral sermon was preached by The Rev. R. L. Vivian of Henry, a former pastor here. The singing was rendered by a quartet'97Mrs. Harry McWane, Miss Fern Parents and Mesars, W. M. Keck and Charles McMillen, with Bessie Eyer at the organ. Miss Parents also sang a solo. The pallbearers were four of the grandsons and their two brothers-in-law'97Dr. H. D. Fast of Mackinaw, Walter W. of Peoria, Byron of Springfield, Leo of this place and H. D. Neff of Monmouth and A. A. Dart. Honorary pallbearers were A. J. Lair, F. M Beall, Joseph Russell, E. Keller, Aaron Moffitt and J. B. Ferguson. The floral offerings by the children, grandchildren and friends were a beautiful and eloquent testimony of their love and respect for the departed. The interment was at the Princeville cemetery.

Aside from those already mentioned who attended the funeral from a distance were Mrs. Laura Walker and Mrs. Edward Heald of Canton, Mrs. John Colwell, Mrs. McClenaham, Mrs. Sundquist and Mrs. Henry Wilson of Toulon, Mrs. Dr. Fast of Mackinaw and Mrs. H. D. Neff of Monmouth
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• He was buried on 6 December 1909 in the Princeville Township Cemetery in Princeville, IL.

Plot: Div D, Row 3, Lot 66
Find A Grave Memorial #22075840
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Jacob married Martha Stauffer, daughter of Stauffer and Hannah Hollinger, on 22 January 1846 in Princeville Township, Peoria County, IL.^{1 2 3} (Martha Stauffer was born on 15 January 1827 in Mechanicsburg, PA,^{1 3 6} died on 4 February 1914 in Princeville, IL ⁶ and was buried on 5 February 1914 in Princeville, IL ⁶.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• They appeared on the 1880 US Census in Princeville, IL on 22 June 1880. ³

1880 US Census
Page 366A, District 224, Dwelling 272, Family 274, Roll 241
Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois
Jacob A. Fast..Head..61..OH..Farmer
Martha Fast..Wife..53..PA..Keeping House
Charles Fast..Son..26..IL..Farmer
Milton W. Fast..Son..12..IL..At School
Hannah Neal..Mother-in-Law..77..PA..At Home
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