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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., October 17, 1935, page 1

PIONEER CENTERVILLE FARMER DIES AT THE AGE OF 93
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JACOB JACOBSON CALLED
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A Member Of First Group Of Finns To Make Home In Centerville Section; A Friend Of Many

Death called one of the oldest residents of Klickitat County last Saturday, in the passing of Jacob Jacobson at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Selma Holdeman, of Vancouver, Washington, following a brief illness. Respected by his people, friends and neighbors alike, Mr. Jacobson, will be remembered as a good citizen, thrifty provider, with a kind word for everybody. Coming to Klickitat county when the county was new, he experienced the hardships of the pioneer, surmounting them all to live to the ripe old age of ninety three years.
Mr. Jacobson was born in March 10, 1843, in Suomis Salina, in Finland, where he spent his youth. John Hagan and Jacob Jacobson, who spent their boyhood together, had many adventures together. When 18 years of age, in company with young Hagan he went on skiis through Lapland to Watso, Norway, where they spent 11 years as fisherman, fishing for all kinds of sea fish.
The two men decided to come to America, and arrived at Calumet, Michigan in 1872, where there was a settlement of Finnish people. Here the men worked in the copper mines for several years, and it was here he married Christina Hayla, also a native of Finland, who had come to Calumet to make her home. To this union were born in seven children: Matthew, Centerville; Jacob, Lakeside, Wash.; Ida, deceased; Selma Holdeman, Vancouver; August, deceased; Mrs. Ida Glenn, deceased; three grandchildren and one great grand child.
The couple came west by railroad to San Franciscoin1877, with a Finnish group. They took a boat to Astoria, and then headed up the Columbia, bound for Pendleton. At The Dalles and they found they had lost the Pendleton address, and finding no one that they could talk to so as to get straightened out, they decided to look around the country back on both sides of the Columbia river. With his old friend John Hagan, Jacobson made the trip over the Columbia hills and saw the rich farm lands of the Centerville section. They returned to The Dalles and told the group of what they had seen. The whole party then decided to get over into the Klickitat country, so on July 4, 1877 the first Finnish settlers to this section arrived to take up land around what is now the Centerville section.
The Jacobsons brought him up a family on the old home place, at present being farmed by the son, Matthew. While they experienced rather lean years at times, the native thrift stood them in their good hand. For years Mr. Jacobson has been out of debt, and was a man whose word was as good as his cash.
The past few years Mr. Jacobson has been in failing health, his wife having preceded him in death June 22, 1922, and has been living with his daughter, Mrs. Holdeman, in Vancouver. The remains were brought to Centerville Monday for Funeral services and burial was made in the Grange Cemetery, beside that of his wife. Claude Eshelman conducted the service which was widely attended by his friends and old neighbors, and was held in the Finnish Lutheran church.

The Klickitat County New, Goldendale, WA., October 17, 1935, page 1

PIONEER, 93, PASSES AWAY
Jacob Jacobson, Formerly of Centerville, Was Early Settler There

Jacob Jacobson, one of the first settlers in the Centerville district, died Saturday in Vancouver at the age of 93. Mr. Jacobson was one of the better known Finnish settlers and, up until his advanced age took toll of his vigor, was a leader among his associates.
Funeral services were held Monday in Centerville with interment in the Centerville Grange cemetery following. Rev. S.C. Eshelman officiated at the last rites. A large crowd of friends and relatives paid tribute to the pioneer's memory.

Obituary

Jacob Jacobson was born March 19, 1843 at Suonessaimi, Finland. At the age of 18, John Hagen and Jacob Jacobson left their homes, skiing through Lapland to Watso, Norway, where they resided 12 years, engaging in fishing activities. In 1872 they crossed the Atlantic and went inland to Calumet, Michigan, where they gained employment in the copper mines.
In 1875 Mr. Jacobson was united in marriage to Christina Havala. To this union were born seven children, four boys and three girls, three of them surviving. One daughter was born in Michigan. The sons surviving are Mathew, of Centerville; Jake of Lakeside, Ore.; and the daughter, Mrs. Lewis Holdamen of Vancouver. Besides the family, the deceased is survived by six grandchildren and one great-grandson. He passed away at the home of his daughter with whom he had been staying for some time. He made his last visit to the home ranch during the past summer.
An incident, one of historical importance connected with the late pioneer, revolves around his arrival in this district. Mr. Jacobson went by train to San Francisco and sailed aboard a sailing vessel to Astoria, thence up the river on a river boat to The Dalles. The party was headed for Pendleton but had misplaced the name and address of another party. Mr. Hagen and Mr. Jacobson then decided to explore and came across the river at The Dalles and into what is known as the Klickitat valley. Believing opportunity existed here, and being the first, or among the first, to set foot on the soil, they returned to The Dalles, purchased supplies and farm machinery and returned, where Mr. Jacobson remained the greater portion of his long and useful life.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., Ocotber 18, 1935, page 4
"Ramblings Around The County Of Klickitat"

Jacob Jacobson, aged 93, died last Satruday at his home in Vancouver. He was a former resident of the Centerville section, and widely known there, having come to this valley in pioneer days. Interment was in the Centerville cemetery last Monday.