Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Jacob J. Cosby
Jacob J. Cosby was born 28 August 1841 in Daviess County, Indiana. His parents were Overton Cosby and Louisa McCracken
On 8 August 1863 Jacob was enrolled as a private in Company "K" 117th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers at the age of 21. His enlistement was for six months. The 117th was stationed in eastern Tennessee where, in a fight at Bean's Station, Jacob Cosby's hearing was damaged while his unit was supporting a battery unit. During January and February of 1864, while near Tazewell and Maynardsville, Tennessee, the 117th was cut off from all supplies the greater part of the time, including seventeen days at one time. The men had only parched corn to eat during this time. Jacob became ill with chronic diarrhea as a result of eating parched corn, exposure and hardships incidental to a soldier's life. He was treated by a regimental surgeon.
In Petersburg, Pike County, Indians, on 7 November 1871 Jacob Cosby and Laura E. Wilson were married. They had one daughter in their 55 years of marriage. Jacob died in Evansville 10 July 1927 at the age of 85.
Contributed by Mrs. Jeanne Everett, McCracken Family Historian