Hon. Jacob Held
was born in Betzenger, County of Rentlingen. District of Black Forest, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, and was educated at the common schools of that country. On the first day of September, 1834, he sailed for America, and arrived at New York on the fourth day of November, of the same year. From New York he removed to Philadelphia, and served an apprenticeship as baker, up to April, 1838, when he removed to Evansville, where he remained until April, 1839, at which time he removed to Henderson. On the twentieth day of May, 1839, he married, in Evansville, Miss Louise Lohmeyer, and, as a result of that union, twelve children have been born, seven sons and five daughters. Of that number two sons and two daughters have died. After coming to Henderson, Mr. Held carried on a bakery store and was the first to establish a daily delivery of breads, etc., to families in the town. In 1852 he built the three-story brick storehouse, corner Water and Second Streets, and, for a number of years, carried on a large business therein. He was mostly instrumental in building the Henderson & Evansville Telegraph Line, and was its first President. He served as Councilman of his ward, and, in 1874, was elected Mayor and served one term with credit to himself and city. He is one of the oldest Odd Fellows living in the city, and served his lodge as Noble Grand in 1844 and 1857. In religion he is a Lutheran; in politics a half acres, a beautiful spot and favorite resort. His residence is at the park, and there, too, he carries on a nice grocery trade. When Mr. Held came to Henderson, it was only a village with one dilapidated church--the old Union Church--that stood on the Square and in which Rev. Thomas Evans preached; one dray and one delivery--James Rouse was the owner of the dray, Nathaniel Terry owned the wagon and furnished the village with its winter's supply of wood. Mr. Held, all of his life, has been extremely liberal with his friends and patrons, and has contributed largely to the building up and improvement of the city. His wife has been a hard working, self-denying, faithful helpmate, and, in their old age, the two enjoy life with a loving confidence that has never been diminished.
-The History of Henderson County, Kentucky by Starling 1887 page 805-06;