Representative Andrew Jacobs

Andrew Jacobs (often distinguished in historical records as Andrew Jacobs Sr.) was an American lawyer, jurist, and Democratic politician who served as a Representative from Indiana in the United States Congress from 1949 to 1951. Born in 1906, he pursued a career in law that led him to prominence in Indiana’s legal and political circles. Over the course of his professional life, he established himself as a lawyer, judge, and Congressman from Indiana, and later became the patriarch of a political family that would include his son, Andrew Jacobs Jr., who also served in Congress. Andrew Jacobs died in 1992.

Jacobs’s early life and education laid the foundation for his legal and political career. Growing up in the early twentieth century, he came of age during a period marked by rapid social and economic change in the United States. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, beginning the practice of law in Indiana. His legal training and early professional experience prepared him for a trajectory that would encompass both judicial responsibilities and elective office, and he became known in his community as a capable attorney with a strong interest in public affairs.

Before entering Congress, Jacobs built a substantial career as a lawyer and judge in Indiana. In private practice, he represented clients in a range of civil and criminal matters, gaining familiarity with the legal and social issues facing his state. His work and reputation led to service on the bench, where he served as a judge and further developed his understanding of statutory interpretation, due process, and the administration of justice. This combination of legal practice and judicial experience gave him a practical perspective on how federal and state laws affected ordinary citizens, a perspective that would inform his later legislative work.

Jacobs’s congressional service began when he was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives, serving one term from 1949 to 1951. His tenure in Congress coincided with a significant period in American history, in the early years of the Cold War and the post–World War II era, when the nation was adjusting to new international responsibilities and domestic challenges. As a member of the House of Representatives, Andrew Jacobs participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his Indiana constituents, contributing to the legislative process during his term in office. He took part in debates and votes on measures that reflected the concerns of his district and the broader national agenda of the time, aligning with the Democratic Party’s positions on economic recovery, veterans’ issues, and the evolving foreign policy of the United States.

After leaving Congress in 1951, Jacobs returned to his legal career and continued to be active in public life in Indiana. Drawing on his experience as a former Congressman, lawyer, and judge, he remained engaged in civic affairs and in the Democratic Party. His influence extended beyond his own tenure in office through his family, most notably his son, Andrew Jacobs Jr. (1932–2013), who became a lawyer, Indiana state legislator, and Congressman from Indiana, serving multiple terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Jacobs family thus became closely associated with Indiana’s mid- and late-twentieth-century political history.

Andrew Jacobs’s life and career are distinct from those of several other individuals who share his name and are sometimes noted in reference sources. Andrew Jacobs (journalist) is a reporter for The New York Times and a documentary film director and producer, whose work has focused on international reporting and nonfiction filmmaking. Another contemporary figure, Andy Jacobs, is known as a British sports personality. These individuals are unrelated to Andrew Jacobs the Indiana Congressman but are often listed alongside him in name indexes and disambiguation references.