Jacob Barth


Jacob Barth



Biographical Sketch of Jacob Barth

Compiled July 1971 by David Victor Barth

Jacob married Louisa and they lived in Idar Oberstein, Germany. Jacob was a lapidary, cutting precious stones for which the town was famous. He served in two wars: the German-Austrian War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War. He and Louisa had one daughter, Adele, prior to their immigration to the United Stated in 1878. They settled in New Jersey.

Westphalia, the ship brought Jacob and his family to the U.S. This is a photo taken in 1868 of the Westphalia, the ship that it is believed Jacob and his family traveled on from Germany to the U.S.
According to his grandson, Vincent David Barth, Jacob owned a saloon and billiards establishment and pursued the lapidary profession in the U.S. Louisa bore him seven more children. The youngest son, Victor, pool-sharked in his father’s billiards house. Victor was to become the father of Vincent David Barth; Donald Scott Barth, Sr.; and Jack Edward Barth. One day Jacob was showing a neighbor his new lawn sprinkler when his young son, Victor, turned it on, spraying both men. The proper gentleman, Jacob was embarrassed by the incident and disciplined Victor.

Little more is known about Jacob and Louisa. Jacob had a sister who also immigrated the United States. Some of the Barth family remained in Idar Oberstein. One Barth became mayor of Idar Oberstein in the 1930s, during Hitler’s reign, and is not highly regarded by the townspeople who remember him having pro-Hitler views.