Jacob J. Hotz
(1853-1916)
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Leading Events in Johnson County,
Iowa History. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Western Historical Press, 1913:
"Jacob J. Hotz was seventeen years of age when his father died. Having secured a
fundamental education in the public schools of Iowa City, and feeling a desire to add
to his book of knowledge the valuable education of travel and experience he devoted seven
years to an itinerary including Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis. Cincinnati, Pittsburg,
Baltimore, Boston, and New York City. Four of the seven were devoted to carpentering
and contracting in the seven cities last mentioned, and the concluding three years to
newspaper work in Chicago. Mr. Hotz places great value upon the training and knowledge
of men and affairs which he obtained during these years spent in the great commercial
cities of the nation; they gave him the enlarged vision and the broad understanding of
affairs which were a distinct advantage in after years.
On his return to Iowa City, in 1878, he took up the business of contracting, but in 1882
was persuaded to relinquish his avocation temporarily in order to fill the position of
recorder of Johnson county, to which he had been elected. This office he held four years.
At the expiration of his term he again took up the business of contracting, in which he
has continued to the present, and which he regards as his life's work. He, however,
intermingles in profitable side lines when advisable; for example, the Coralville ice
fields, of which he is the owner and active director - a business which reaches an
exceedingly strenuous stage in midwinter, at which time extensive storage of ice is made
and large shipments are sent to various points.
While a resident of Chicago, in 1875, Mr. Hotz was married to Miss Dehlia Crawford, who
only survived her marriage nine years, dying in November, 1884. Four sons were born of
this marriage, Charles C., Frank W., Guy J., and J. Walter, all living except the first
named. Mr. Hotz married again in November, 1886, his bride being Miss Frances A. Englert,
daughter of Louis Englert, of Iowa City. Of this union there were born five sons and one
daughter, as follows: Louis Lee, born September 12, 1887; John Jacob; borm July 3, 1889;
Arthur Melville, born May 26, 1893; Henry Joseph, born June 7, 1896; Margaret, born
February 18, 1899; and Ralph, born December 23, 1901.
Mr. Hotz is the owner of considerable business property in Iowa City, as well as of
"Idlewild Park," a beautiful tract of ten acres near the city. His home at 630 North
Dubuque street is one of the finest in the city. Catholics in faith, his family and
himself are faithful adherents of St. Mary's church. In politics he is a democrat, and
has represented the Second ward in the city council since 1892. He is a member of the
B. P. 0. E., and the German Aid Society, P. 0. E., and Fraternal Bankers. He is at
present chairman of the park commissioners of Iowa City."
Historical Stories about Iowa City Vol. 2 by Irving B. Weber, Pg. 277:
"Jacob J. Hotz, 1878 - Amateur comedian, weighed 300 pounds; contractor; drove one-horse
buggy, job-to-job. Constructed scaffolding, St. Mary's steeple when cross replaced
(about 1912); steeple reshingled, same time; buttresses added to side walls to stop
buldging. Operated pickle factory, northeast corner, Gilbert College; ice company
Coralville - supplying Rock Island refrigerator cars. Constructed beautiful lodge,
Idelwood, on river opposite City Park; lived southeast corner Dubuque, Ronalds."
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