Born in Winchester, Massachusetts, Jacobs attended the University of Chicago.
He was in private practice in San Jose, California from 1895 to 1906.
[1] Jacobs was nominated by President Warren G. Harding on February 28, 1923, to the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, to a new seat created by 42 Stat.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 2, 1923, and received his commission the same day.
Jacobs served in that capacity until his death on February 21, 1958.