Jacob came to Eastern Ontario from Lithuania in 1878. In Ontario he met Rachel (Maria Stoodley), whom he married. They came west to Calgary in 1889 where he was a trader and later liquor merchant. He is best known as the founder of the Calgary Jewish community and many of its early institutions.

Older daughters of Jacob and Rachel Diamond.

William Diamond followed his brother Jacob to Calgary where he established the W. Diamond Clothing Store. He moved to Edmonton in 1905 and was a leading force in building the Jewish comminity there.