He is the son of Joseph and Hester (Hinton) LaFollette. He is the husband of Sarah Elizabeth (Parrish) LaFollette.

Jeremiah La Follett is a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Agency Township, Buchanan County. He owns a farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres, situated on section 4. He is rapidly converting this property into a fruit farm, for which it seems specially adapted, and has over one thousand apple trees alone, and probably the finest varieties of this useful fruit to be found in the county. He is recognized as one of the progressive and energetic men of the community with which he has been identified for about twenty years.The birth of Mr. La Follett occurred in Putnam County, Ind., in 1833. He was the seventh in order of birth in a family of ten children born to Joseph and Hester (Hinton) La Follett, who were natives of Kentucky, where they grew to mature years and were married. In 1826 they removed to Indiana, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father became quite well-to-do and was a highly respected citizen of Putnam County. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Usual La Follett, was a native Kentuckian, but his ancestors originally came from France.Mr. La Follett's youth and early manhood were passed in his native State and county, where he was given a good general education. When he was twenty years old he went overland to California, driving an ox-team. He remained over two years in the Golden State, where he had good success, but was unfortunate in losing his property by a fire. He returned home via the Isthmus of Panama and New York. Again leaving home in 1862, he removed to Iowa where he resided for about two years, and then removed to Holt County, Mo., from where, after a three-years residence, he emigrated to Oregon. He there engaged in farming and stock-raising for four years, returning in 1871 to Missouri. He concluded to try his fortunes in Buchanan County and therefore located on the farm where he still resides. He has made many improvements on this place, having erected a substantial residence and barns and in other ways increased its value. In 1862, before finally leaving his native State, Mr. La Follett married Miss Sarah Parrish, who was born in Indiana, but whose parents were from Kentucky. Nine children have blessed this union. Sarah L. died at the age of three years, and the other members of the family are as follows: Hester A., Gertrude, Leonora, Charles H., Jessie S., Dora L., Grover C. and Ellsworth. As were most of his people before him, our subject is a stanch Democrat. Socially he is a Mason, having been a member of the fraternity for many years. The cause of education has always found in him a warm supporter and friend. Both he and his amiable wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. All movements tending to benefit the community or the public at large find in him an able advocate, for as every true American citizen should be, he is keenly alive to whatever may affect his country's interests. (Portrait and Biographical Record of Buchanan and Clinton Counties Missouri - Chicago, Chapman Bros. 1893)