Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 644 - 645

Jacob Kempf, of Sheboygan, is widely known as one of the representative German pioneers of the Chair City. He is probably the oldest in his line of business (that of shoemaker and dealer in boots and shoes) in the city, having opened a shop in 1852, in which he has been engaged continuously since.

Mr. Kempf was born in Hesse, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, on the 12th of May, 1830. His parents, John and Margaret Kempf, were natives of the same country, where they lived and died. Jacob Kempf, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in his native land, serving a regular apprenticeship to the trade of shoemaker. In 1849 he emigrated to America, spending the first year in this country working at his trade in Buffalo, N. Y. In the spring of 1850 he came to Sheboygan, Wis., where he worked as a journeyman until the spring of 1852, when he opened a shop and began business for himself, and, as has been stated, has conducted it ever since.

On the 21st of May, 1852, Mr. Kempf was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Knaus, who was born in Saxony, Germany, and came to America in the year 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Kempf have a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. Charles, the eldest, married Miss Mattie Aldrich, and resides in Emery City, Mich.; John, who married Susan Aldrich, lives in Capac, Mich.; George, who married Louise Kreuzer, lives in Chicago; Lena is the wife of Bert Aldrich, of Capac, Mich.; Edward J. wedded Anna Benschmidt, of Sheboygan; William resides at home; Emma, who is the widow of Jesse Cole, makes her home in Chicago; Albert, who married Emma Landwehr, resides in Sheboygan; and Frank, Julia and Clara are at home.

Mr. Kempf and family are members of the German Methodist Church. In politics, he is a Republican.

Return to the Sheboygan Page

Return to Bios page