Otto Jakel was born in 1924 in Pierron, Illinois. At the age of eight the family moved to Highland. Otto attended St. Paul grade and High School but left school a few months prior to graduating to join the Navy during WWII.

In 1946 Mr. Jakel started a small tool and die and metal stamping shop in the alley by the Lory Theater. In 1951 he expanded and built a building on West Broadway and began manufacturing sub-fractional horsepower motors for many household appliances, fans and pumps. He designed and built a lot of the equipment used to make the motors. During 38 years of manufacturing in Highland, the Jakel companies and family have provided steady employment for as many as 400 employees. Otto helped to form the Highland Manufacturing Association and served as President. He also served on the Boards of SIU-E Foundation, the Eagle Bank and the Eagle Bank Corporation. He was awarded the “Key to the City” of Palestine, IL and White City, IL. At the time of his death in 1984 Jakel Manufacturing had plants in Greenville and Palestine, IL as well as Highland. Otto also was a member of the American Association of Industry Management, Illinois Manufacturers Association and on the Board of Illinois Small Business Association. Otto was very active in the community as a member of the Highland Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Helvetia Sharpshooters Society, and St. Paul Church and its organizations. Otto sponsored many sporting activities in the community such as softball, baseball and bowling teams and he helped the Boy Scouts. He taught young boys to build and fly model airplanes. They flew planes at the Highland VFW and various empty lots in town. He helped initiate the Eastside Radio Control Club and Field at SIU-E.

Otto Jakel always thought very much of Highland and its people. He used to tell his children how great it was to live here.