Barbara Moose. 8. John, resides in Johnstown. He enlisted as a private in 1864 in Company F, One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was wounded in the foot at the battle of Hatch's Run. He married Lucv Fisher. 9. Sarah. married David Strayer, and died in the Seventh ward, Johnstown. 10. Jacob P., see forward. Three children died in infancy.
Jacob P. Custer, fifth son of Jacob and Christiana (Kuntz) Custer, was born on the Custer farm in Shade township, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1844. He was but one year old when his father removed to the farm in Richland township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania. He attended the public school of his district until he was about fourteen years of age, that is, going to school in the winter, and assisting on the farm in the summer as soon as be was tall and strog enough to do so. He was eleven years of age when his father died, and he commenced to work in the Cambria Iron Works the following year. One year later he bound himself out as in apprentice to a carpenter for three years, learning the trade under the instruction of David Wissinger, who was considered the best man in this line of business in that day and section of the country. At the end of a few months young Jacob was able to superintend the erection of a barn built for Daniel Kriarg, and at the end of two and one-half years Mr. Wissinger gave him his time and paid him journeyman's wages for the balance of the time of his apprenticeship. He also presented him, with a hundred-dollar tool chest. He continued working for Mr. Wissinger for another two and one-half years, then held a position for one year in the rolling mill department of the Cambria Iron Works, under old Judge White. His next proceeding was to run away from home and enlist, at Johnstown, in July, 1864, as a private in Captain Bonecker's cavalry company. He was in Harrisburg two days, when he was sent home by Governor Curtin, the governor having received a request from young Jacob's mother to that effect. He was at home but a very few months when his mother died. He re-enlisted at Johnstown, as private in Company F, One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Captain Stackhouse, Colonel Sickles, the latter later becoming general. He was mustered into service August 27, 1864, and honorable discharged June 12, 1865. He was an active participant in the following battles: Hatch's Run, Poplar Grove and Ream Station.
He returned to his home at the close of the war and again entered the employ of the Cambria Iron Company. He has been in their employ continuously since that time, and now (1906) holds the position of superintendent of the mechanical- department of the Cambria Steel Company. He was foreman of the roof shop department for thirteen years, and was then advanced to the position of foreman of the machine shop. At the and of one month he was taken ill and was obliged to retire from his work for eighteen months. He then became assistant to the master builder for two years, and was then placed in charge of the electric light department, and was also inspector of the entire property. He then had charge of all the floating labor, the electric light, and the carpenter shop. He was relieved of the last two offices and given charge of the floating labor, and erecting at their Franklin plant. He broke the first ground for their coke ovens in connection with this plant. He has been conscientious and faithful in the discharge of all the many responsible positions he has held, and his services are highly appreciated by the company. He and his wife are members
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