Jacob Szink

He went to Altoona, PA in 1852 to be foreman of the new blacksmith shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad. On 20 April 1861, then age 33, he enrolled and mustered as Captain, Company E, 3rd Pennsylvania Infantry for 90 days' service. He mustered out with his Company on 29 July in Harrisburg and returned to his railroad job.

In July 1862 he recruited a company for the 125th Pennsylvania Infantry, then organizing, and on 14 August 1862 he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment.

At Antietam on 17 September 1862

To protect ourselves, we lay on our faces, and we persuaded the Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment to dismount, and scarcely had the latter done so when a shell tore away the stirrup strap of the saddle on his horse, exploded and disabled him, and caused the horse to run away.

He mustered out again on 18 May 1863. He served in command of a battalion of local militia on the Gettysburg Campaign. On 16 July 1864 he again enrolled for active serve, and was commissioned Major of Stewart's (PA) Infantry, an independent militia unit, for a 6-month term. He mustered out for the last time on 14 November 1864.

He returned to his trade as the foreman of the PRR blacksmith shops in Altoona, PA, and was there to his death at age 45 in 1872.

His service in the 125th Infantry, personal details, the quote above, and his photograph are from Wallace.1 Other service from Bates2 and the Card File. Further details from family genealogists and the US Census for 1860 and 1870. His gravesite is on Findagrave.

He married Mary Singiser (1827-1885) and they had 4 children.

07/21/1827; New Cumberland, PA

08/01/1872; in PA; burial in Fairview Cemetery, Altoona, PA