The History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties 1880 has the biography of Jacob and his wife. "As one of the early settlers of this portion of Van Buren County, he is entitled to honorable mention. He was a native of the State of New York, and was born March 18, 1801. Dec. 19, 1824, he was married to Helen Cole, who survives him. Mr. and Mrs. Erkenbeck were the parents of eight children, as follows: Cornelius, born Oct. 18, 1825; Maria, born June 25, 1827, died Aug. 22, 1866; Eleanor, born Nov. 17, 1829; Catharine, born Nov. 25, 1831; Wilham, born Feb. 10, 1834; Nicholas, born Feb. 25, 1836, died May 23, 1866; Martin, born Sept. 14, 1838; John, born June 1, 1845. In the fall of 1846, Mr. Erkenbeck removed to Michigan with his family, and settled on the farm now occupied by his widow. He purchased eighty acres of land, and paid for it by trading off his team and wagon. It was very much of a struggle for him to take care of his family, but he finally triumphed over hardships and difficulties, and at his death, which occurred Nov. 8, 1877, hc left them in good circumstances. His occupation was that of a farmer, and in it he was ultimately successful. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church."
And here they are:
People in these type drawings all look the same; maybe they did in real life, too.
Both parents along with Eleanor and Nicholas are buried in the Almena Cemetery. Note that names are misspelled on the tombstone! But is it misspelled? Jacob's will has his name as Erkenbreck. Helen's name has double l. Wonder if this might be due to having to order tombstones by mail as there wasn't a local monument maker.
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| Almena Township Cemetery |
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