Jacob's Journey

This is a story of Jacob DePeal who left the home of his abusive father in search of a better life at the age of twelve. The story chronicles his adventure to safety leading him to The Newsboy Home in Detroit, Michigan in the latter part of the 1800s. This account is based on family stories passed down through the years and current research conducted on the life and times of the characters, using actual census records, land plots, jail and marriage records. The narrative uses the characters, places, and incidents fictitiously to illustrate the hardships and struggles endured along with the courage and achievements of our not so distant ancestors.