Jacobs, Frances Wisebart (1843-1892)

Title

Jacobs, Frances Wisebart (1843-1892)

Contributor

Phillip, Emelda

Source

Frances Wisebart Jacobs, Image

birthday

1843-03-29

Birthplace

Harrodsburg, KY

Death Date

1892-11-03

Occupation

School Teacher

Philanthropist

Biographical Text

Frances was born in 1843 to Leon Wisebart, a tailor and his wife. In addition to Frances, they had 6 other children who all went to public school. Frances was a school teacher in Cincinnati, Ohio until she was married. Frances involved herself heavily in charity work, caring for Jewish refugees ailed with tuberculosis. She was then elected president of the Hebrew Benevolent Ladies Aid Society and helped organize the non-sectarian Ladies Relief Society bringing awareness to unfair workplace conditions for women. Frances was known across the nation as the "Mother of Charities" for her groundbreaking philanthropic service.

In 1843, Frances married Abraham Jacobs. He was also the business partner of Jacob Wisebart, Frances's brother. Together they travelled by wagon to Colorado to open stores in Denver and Central City. Frances gave birth to two children, a son named Benjamin and a daughter named Evelyn. Frances contracted pneumonia while delivering medicine to a sick child in the rain. She was hospitalized and passed on November 3, 1892.

Bibliography

Frances Wisebart Jacobs

Frances Wisebart Jacobs-Hall of Fame