Rev. Daniel C. Jacokes, M. A. , S. T. D., who was well known throughout the State of Michigan for his great and good work he accomplished as a minister of the gospel and to his connection with the state border corrections and charities, was a resident of Pontiac for many years and was living in the city at the time of his death. Daniel C. Jacokes was born in Charleston, Montgomery County, New York, April 15, 1813, and with the eldest of four children born to Samuel and Catherine (Hood) Jacokes, both natives of New York State. Catherine Jacokes was a woman of marked ability and strength of character, and possessed a clear and active mind with strong convictions as to religion and morals. When her oldest son was eight years old, he was consecrated by her to the ministry, as were two brothers later; with a settled purpose of becoming a clergyman, he marked out by her device a course of study to to continue the following 30 years, at the expiration of which time he was to buy new books on all the subjects and review his studies. This he afterward did, twice. It is remarkable that the three songs should have followed with such exactness the course layout by their mother.

Rev. D. C. Jacokes prepared for college and a select school, then for three years attended Geneva College (now Hobart College) in Geneva, New York. In 1828 he made a trip West, spending one year in Michigan, then returned to Geneva, New York, where he was married in 1832. With his wife, he later returned to Michigan and for six years was located in Detroit, then moved to Lodi Township, Washtenaw County, where his father had located. There he spent two years at his studies in preparation for the ministry and in 1840 join the Michigan conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first assignment was to the Farmington circuit, in Oakland County, a district covering a wide range, and here he remained a year. He then moved to the Lake superior region and to charge the Indian missions, continuing in this interesting work until 1845. His subsequent appointments, all four. Of two years, each, followed in order: Grass Lake, Girard, Northville, Mount Clemons, Port Huron, Pontiac, Trenton, and Detroit. on the breaking out of the war, he was appointed chaplain of the 5th Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and experience the hardships of the Peninsula campaign. He resigned after on year and was assigned to the church at Dexter, where he remained three years, then returned to Pontiac and had charge of the church for a like period. In 1868 he was made presiding elder of the Adrian district for term of four years, and afterward was pastor of the church at Hudson until 1876. Owing to the failure of his wife's health, he returned a Pontiac we continue to reside until his death. About the year 1853 the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by the Wesleyan University of Middleton, Connecticut, and in 1871 US-made Dr. of sacred theology by Ohio Wesleyan University. In September of 1875, Mr. Jacokes was requested by Gov. Bagley to except the position of Commissioner of education of Michigan for the educational exhibit at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. upon becoming conceded the practicability of the enterprise, he kept the position and directed his efforts to the task. To detailed the plan originated by him would be impossible here; suffice it to say that he gave a full and comprehensive exposition of the of the educational system of Michigan. He devised a plan for the arrangement, in compact and accessible form, of all the material needed for his study of the educational system of the State. his plan was adopted by the Centennial Board and sent to all states and nations for their guidance in their exhibits. Four commissioners spent whole days in examining and copying from the volumes and diagrams displayed. Much of the credit which Michigan received for this splendid exhibit is due to the energy and wisdom of Dr. Jacokes . In 1877, he was appointed a member of the state board of health and served as such for six years, and also in 1877 was appointed by the Governor of Michigan as agent of the state Board of corrections and charities for Oakland County, a position he was feeling at the time of his death. From 1878 he was chaplain of the Eastern Michigan Asylum for the insane at Pontiac, his culture and great kindness of heart eminently fitted him for the work. He became an active member of the American Public health Association in 1882. In 1832, Dr. Jacokes was joined in marriage with Ms. Mary Ann Slarrow, who was born in Geneva, Ontario County, New York, I only had one son, Hon. James A. Jacokes, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. He also had an adopted daughter, Mrs. William Park of Trenton, Michigan. Dr. Jacokes spent a long life in a steady pursuit of knowledge and never considered his education completed. He had in addition to his theological studies given a considerable attention to the study of astronomy and the sciences, and his research and him almost every branch of learning was profound. He had a remarkable Constitution, enabling him to do the work of three ordinary man, and he could not remember the time when he had devoted more than a few hours out of every 24 to slumber. He was seen on all except the very coldest winter days, attending to his outdoor duties without overcoat or without additional wraps on. His reputation throughout the state was an enviable one.
Both charity and thought for others, he had a hosts of friends whenever his work led him, but his sound judgment and sterling Charter One will place in the front rank of man of refinement and education.