Jacob was born 24 Jul 1869 in the town of Kunheim, canton of Andolsheim, state of Haut-Rhin, in the Alsace region of France. This area was part of the Kingdom of France until 1871, when the Franco-Prussian war resulted in the French cession of Alsace to the German Empire. In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles reverted Alsace to France. Jacob emigrated to the United States in 1887, but was visiting in Kunheim in the summer of 1914 when World War I broke out.
1886 (Jan 26): Delayed birth certificate issued in Kunheim [copy courtesy PK].
1887 (Feb 24): Living in Kunheim [copy courtesy PK].
1887: Immigrated [with George HENNINGER? (the future husband of Jacob's 2nd cousin Mary BLANG)]. Departed Havre on La Bourgogne. Arrived New York February 21, 1887.
1893 (Dec 4): Naturalization in Cook Co., IL [copy courtesy PK].
1896: m. OBRECHT, JACOB & SCHLOEN, ANNIE 02/18/1896 / 245128 COOK Co., IL. License issued 16 Feb 1896. Jacob, age 26. Anna, age 24.
1900: Sedgewick St. 374 16 37 OBRECHT:
Jacob head W M July 1869 30 M 5 Germany Germany Germany 1886 14 Na Tailor R H
Anna wife W M[sic] Mar 1874 26 M 5 2 2 Illinois Germany Germany
Madeline daughter W F Oct 1896 3 S Illinois Germany Illinois
Edna daughter W F Nov 1898 1 S Illinois Germany Illinois
[North Town, Chicago Ward 22, Cook, Illinois; Roll: T623 272; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 673. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.]
1910: Cleveland St., 23rd Ward, Chicago, Cook Co., IL, T624_266, part 2, p.272B. OBRECHT: Jacob 40 M1 14, Ger German, Ger German, Ger German, 1887 Na, English, tailor - tailor shop, R H; Anna J. 36 M1 14 6 5, IL, Ger German, Ger German, English; Magdalene 13 S IL; Edna A. 11 S IL; Alice D. 8 S IL; Lilian W. 6 S IL; John M. 4 S IL.
1914 (Jun 11): US passport application Chicago, born Kunheim Germany 24 Jul 1869. Emigrated to US aboard Bringanne[?] from Havre about Feb 1887. Naturalized 4 Dec 1893 Chicago, occupation Taylor, age 45. 
Stature 5'6", forehead high, eyes brown, nose small, mouth medium, chin round, hair brown, complexion fair, face round [application document via ancestry.com].1914 (Jun 13): US passport #34289 issued to Jacob Obrecht 13 Jun 1914 [passport copy courtesy PK].
1914 (July-Sept): Travel Diary
1914 (Aug): Travel documents
1914: Jacob Obrecht, age 45, 1773 Mohawk St., Chicago, IL, passport #34289. S.S.Potsdam, sailing from Rotterdam Sep 5th 1914.
[Source Citation: Year: 1914; Microfilm serial: T715; Microfilm roll: T715_2369; Line: 11; Source Information: Ancestry.com. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2006. 
Original data: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls); Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36; National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957; (National Archives Microfilm Publication T715, 8892 rolls); Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; National Archives, Washington, D.C.]1920: Mohawk St., Chicago, Cook Co., IL, T625_333, p.9A, ED#1239, Image#0333. OBRECHT: Jacob O M 50, 1887 Na 1890, France German, Germany German, Germany German, tailor - ???? house; Anna 46, IL, Germany German, France German; Edna 21 S IL clerk - shoe factory; Alice 18 S IL addresser - ???? order house; Lillian 16 S IL bill clerk - wholesale book store; John 14 S IL; Ruth 8 S IL.
1920 (Apr 10): US passport application, Jacob J. Obrecht 1737 Mohawk St Chicago, born Kunheim France 24 Jul 1869, father Matthew Obrecht born Kunheim France (deceased), emigrated to US sailing from Havre France about Feb 1887, naturalized 4 Dec 1893, occupation laborer, last passport obtained from DC 13 jun 1914, will return within 4 months, visit France (see Mother) and Switzerland (see friends), leave from port of New York, age 51. 
5'6", forehead high, eyes brown, nose small, mouth medium, chin round, hair dark gray, complexion fair, face round, distinguishing marks small wart on throat, witness Mathias Wagner (Deputy County Clerk) 1747 Mohawk St (known for nine years), photo [application document via ancestry.com].1920: Trip from the US to France to visit Mother, and to Switzerland to visit friends [US passport issued 19 Apr 1920; copy courtesy PK].
1926: Jacob Obrecht, grantee, assignment of agent, from Mariquita B. Barnes, 29Jul1926-19Mar1928, consideration $1.00, Record#254030, Book#214, Page#74 [Deeds 171/187]. Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
1926: Jacob Obrecht, grantee, assignment of agreement, from Mariquita B. Barnes, 29Jul1926-12May1931, consideration $1.00, Record#312287, Book#265, Page#2 [Deeds 171/187]. Glen Ellyn, IL.
1930: Glen Ellyn Village, Milton Twp., DuPage Co., IL, T626_511, p.5A, ED#47, Image#0629. OBRECHT: Jacob J. O $7000 R 60 M 27, France Alsace, France Alsace, France Alsace, French, 1893 Na, tailor - shop; Anna J. 56 M 22 IL Germany Germany; John M. 24 S IL orderly - government hospital; Ruth M. 18 S IL.
1945: OBRECHT JACOB M/W UNK 0014733 1945-05-20 COOK CHICAGO. IL Death Cert.: Jacob Obrecht, residence 1902 Henderson, Chicago, Cook Co., IL. Died 20 May 1945 4a.m., age 75y 9m 27d, 1200 W. Belden Ave., Alexian Brothers, Chicago, Cook Co., IL, cause myocardial infarct, coronary sclerosis, general arteriosclerosis. Male white married (Anna, age 71). 
Born 24 Jul 1869 Alsace Lorraine, occupation tailor Schomacher Company. father Mathew Obrecht born Alsace Lorraine France. mother Katherine Schneider born Alsace Lorraine France. Informant hospital records. Burial Irving Park 23 May 1945, Chicago. FD: Muelheofer 1458 Belmont lic#982.
