**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Jacob Perry MAUS Pages 231-232, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins [Surnames: BOONE, FORMWALT, MAUS, MORTON, WILCOXEN] JACOB PERRY MAUS is one of the successful farmers in Liverpool Township, to whom fortune has been exceedingly generous in her gifts. He is a native-born citizen of Fulton County, Liverpool Township, the place of his birth and December 26, 1850, the date thereof. He is a son of Jacob Maus, who was a well-known pioneer of this county and was prominent in its early development. The father of our subject was born in Carroll County, Md., October 12, 1814. His father, whose name was the same as his own, was a native of Adams County, Pa., and a son of George Maus, who was born in Holland and came to America about the time of the Revolution, settling in Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subject moved to Maryland in early life and there carried on business as a farmer and miller, he being the proprietor of a good farm on which stood a mill. He was killed at the age of seventy-four years by the falling of a wall of his mill. The father of our subject was reared on a farm in Maryland and learned the trade of a miller. He was married in that State to Mary Formwalt who was born there September 6, 1818. Immediately after marriage the young couple came to Fulton County in the spring of 1840, making the journey by wagon to Pittsburg, Pa., thence by boat by the way of the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, and landing at Liverpool. Mr. Maus bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 13, Liverpool Township, and at once entered upon its improvement. He found the surrounding country in a wild, sparsely settled condition and deer, wild turkeys and other game abounded in the woods. Only about twenty acres of his entire land were cleared and as there was much valuable timber standing there, he soon erected a sawmill on Buckheart Creek which he had in operation for about fifteen years, also having a gristmill in connection with it. While carrying on his milling business he devoted himself at the same time to farming and at different periods bought land until his estate embraced four hundred and eighty acres at the time of his death. He placed upon it many valuable improvements, including a fine brick residence which he built in 1861 and a large barn. Mr. Maus departed this life August 29, 1888, and it is doubtful if in this whole county the death of any man has been more sincerely mourned. He was beloved in the family circle, by his neighbors, and by all who met him in a business way. An ardent Christian and a member of the Methodist Church he was instrumental in advancing all religious causes. He was a member of the Democratic party and was well known in political circles and in public life. For a period of ten or twelve years he represented Liverpool Township, as a member of the County Board of Supervisors and he was also School Treasurer. His good wife preceded him in death, dying May 19, 1878. She was a consistent Christian woman and a member of the Methodist Church for a great many years. The following is recorded of their three children: Josephus H. born November 25, 1844, died January 23, 1845; John William, born February 12, 1848, died March 11, 1861; Jacob Perry, their youngest son, is the subject of this biographical review. Our subject passed his youth on the home farm, attending the primitive pioneer schools during the winter season and helping his father during the summer months. Since the death of the latter he has managed the farm alone with excellent success. He has two hundred and fifty acres of choice land under his care, and his land lying principally on the Illinois River bottom, is of exceptional fertility and is quite productive. He resides in the house that h is father built, which is one of the largest brick residences in the county, and the other farm buildings are of a substantial order and the large red frame barn is one of the most commodious in this section. Mr. Maus was married September 21, 1876, to Lottie E. Morton, a native of Fulton County. She was born May 12, 1859, and is a daughter of Richard W. Morton. Her father was born in Estill County, Ky., April 15, 1819. When he was eleven years old he came to Fulton County in 1830, with his uncle, Elijah Wilcoxen. He is still living on a small farm on section 2, Liverpool Township. He has been three times married. Richard Morton, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Maus, was captain of a boat on the Ohio River. He married Mary Wilcoxen, who was born in Ashe County, N. C., and was a grand-niece of Daniel Boone, the noted Kentucky pioneer. Capt. Morton died in 1820. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Maus has resulted in the birth of these four children: Mary L., born April 29, 1881; Clara G., June 15, 1883; Myrtle M., June 28, 1885; and Frank M., September 28, 1887. Mr. Maus is an active, intelligent farmer, who has a good understanding of his calling. He is kind and generous in his relations with others and is generally popular among his fellow citizens. He is an ardent Democrat in politics. He has served one term as Road Commissioner of his township, and ever manifests an interest in its welfare.