Submitted by Melva Taylor

Tampico Tornado
September, 20 1902 - Saturday

DEATH OF TAMPICO PIONEER SETTLER

Jacob M. Van DeMark, a pioneer settler of Tampico townshipess=yesresident of Rock Falls, died Sunday morning after an illness resulting from a paralytic stroke of three years ago.

The funeral services were held Wednesday at Rock Falls and the remains were brought to the cemetery here where they were laid to rest. Jacob M. Van DeMark was born in Olive township, Ulster County, N.Y., December 18, 1832, and in 1858 he located in Illinois, buying a farm in Henry county. In 1859 he came to Tampico township, where he resided until he moved to Rock Falls a few years ago.

He was prominently identified with the early history and development of the south-eastern part of this county. He was the first township clerk of Tampico, and afterwards held the public offices of road commission ... (unreadable).