The son of David & Rebecca (Myers) Shenk, in 1860 he was a farm laborer living with and/or working for farmer Samuel Myers in Southampton Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He stood 5' 5" tall and had light hair and gray eyes.

A Civil War veteran, he enlisted at the stated age of seventeen (suggesting he had parental approval) in Carlisle March 12, 1864, mustered into federal service that day as a private with Co. B, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry (162nd Pennsylvania), and honorably discharged with his company June 2, 1865. He is in the company register as "Shank."

He married Anna Hess and fathered Gertrude (b. 10/03/72), Samuel H. (b. 12/15/73), Catharine (b. 09/23/75 - married Harry Jones), and Anna (b. @1879). He died at the reported age of 71-1-24 from "lobar pneumonia" with "advanced age" a contributing factor. His death certificate lists him as "Shank."

From the original Findagrave post:

The death certificate lists his date of birth as 22 Nov. 1846
Date of death is shown as 17 Jan. 1918 at 2 AM
Further info from Death Certificate
Jacob was the son of Rebecca (Myers) and David Shank both born in Pennsylvania
Date of burial 21 January 1918

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In the 1880 US Census Jacob Shenk and family are living in Silver Spring Twp., Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
Line 29: Jacob Shenk age 33 Occupation Farmer Born in Penna.
Line 30: Annie Shenk age 34 Wife Keeping house Born in Penna
Line 31: Gertrude Shenk age 7 Daughter Born in Penna
Line 32: Samuel Shenk age 6 Son Born in Penna
Line 33: Catharine Shenk age 4 Daughter Born in Penna
Line 34: Annie Shenk age 1 Daughter Born in Penna

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In the 1900 US Census
Jacob Shenk can be found living in Silver Spring Twp., Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Line 42: Jacob Shenk Head Born Nov. 1846 age 53 Widowed Born in Penna
Line 43: Gertrude Shenk Daughter Born Oct. 1872 in Penna Single
Line 44: Samuel Shenk Son Born Dec. 1873 in Penna Single Farm Laborer
Line 45: Annie Henry Daughter Born Dec. 1878 in Penna Married