Jacob Suter was born 19 Sep 1842 in Monroe Co., Ohio to William and Mary Suter. (William was the son of Jacob and Anna Mariah Suter who were born in Switzerland.) Jacob's siblings were John W., Louisa, Paulina, Mary, Earnest, Albert and Sarah J. By 1855 the family had moved to Marshall Co. W. Va. and his mother died 17 Apr 1855 at Fish Creek, Marshall Co. Shortly thereafter, his father married Wilhelmina Petzold from Germany. More children were added, Emily, Elisa J. R., Clara A., Norman, Minnie and Willie.

According to the original Pension records No. 749993, he entered as Jacob Suter 11 Aug 1862 and served as a private in Co. B, 12th Regiment, W.V. Infantry under Captain M. Bonar until July 28, 1863. Then as corporal until he mustered out 16 June, 1865 at Richmond, Va. (Also known as Jacob Sutter.) His post office at enlistment was Woodlands, W. Va.

Jacob married Isabell Henry 24 Dec 1868 at Fairview, W. Va. They had the following children:

Mary Ida Nov 6, 1869
Clara Bell Jan 21, 1872
Edith Jane Mar 19, 1874
William Howard Aug 3, 1876
Maggy Sept 11, 1878
Elvira Susan Nov 27, 1879
John Albert Mar 5, 1882
Lula July 18, 1884

He requested a disability pension at various times for the poor health he was in because of the Civil War. The General Affidavit of 24 Mar 1898 states the following:

I, Jacob Sutter, affiant, contracted measels in Nov. 1862 on a Scout from Beverly W. Va. to Monteray when it was raining. Measles went in on me and disease of respiratory organs followed. I became affected with Deafness just after the battle of Winchester on June 15, 16 and 17th 1863. I was in front of the cannon outside of the fort and their report had such an effect on me, that when I stepped on a stick, its breaking would sound like the report of a musket. I became noticeably affected with piles while at Stanton, Va. in June 1864, by bleeding much while at stool, having endured much fatigue for several days. I was first affected by rheumatism and kidney trouble in the summer of 1865 while farming, my back hurt in the region of my kidneys, I became drawn down and would ache in my limbs and shoulders so that I could not work for weeks at a time, and heart disease followed. I know the above ailments were not the result of my own vicious habits and believe them to be the results of exposure during service."

On January 2, 1900 Jacob Sutter at the age of 57 (post office Pioneer) requested an Invalid Pension because of poor health from serving in the Civil War, citing Tonsilitis, typhoid fever, and malarial fever. W. E. Richmond, Oscar W. Yoho, Henry Resseger, Thomas Harbison, Henry Anshutz, and James Henry attested at various times that he was unable to work.

According to the Declaration For Pension, on 19 Sep 1912 Jacob Sutter declares that he is 70 years of age and a resident of McMechen. At enlistment he was a farmer and 5 feet 8 inches tall with a fair complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. That he is a pensioner under certificate No. 537.467. He received $50.00 per month.

Jacob's wife died 16 Sep 1891 and he died 18 June 1923 [death record says 1922]. Both are buried at Fairview Cemetery, Burch Ridge, Marshall County, W. Va.

Note from Linda Fluharty: Jacob Suter's brother, John W. Sutter/Suter, served in Company "H" of the 7th West Virginia infantry. At age 20, he joined for duty and enrolled at Moundsville Oct 17, 1861; mustered in at Grafton Nov 5, 1861. Mar & Apr 1863, "Detached in Ambulance Corps by order of Gen. Couch April 27, 1863." "Killed in Action at Gettysburg July 2-3 1863." 1860 census: Father, William Suter, step-mother, Wilmina, and siblings Jacob, 16; Pauline, 13; Mary, 12; Ernest, 10.