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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	355
of the Franklin Street Methodist Episcopal church. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he has served as councilman from the Tenth ward for two terms. He is a member of Emery Fisher Post, No. 30, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Order of Heptasophs.     Mr. Custer married, May 28, 1868, Sarah Amanda Masters, born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. She was brought to Johnstown in 1861 and educated in the public schools of that city. She is the daughter of George and Sarah (Caster) Masters, granddaughter of Jacob Caster, great-granddaughter of John Custer, great-great-granddaughter of Jonathan Custer, and great-great-great-granddaughter of Paul Custer, mentioned previously. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob P. Custer were: 1. Sarah, married John W. Tittle, and resides in Johnstown. They have children: James, Jacob and Sarah. 2. Albert Monroe, cashier of the Pennsylvania Traffic Company; married Anna Young and has children: Donald, Nina and Helen. 3. Minnie May, married Ralph J. Benford, and resides in Johnstown. 4. Arthur, resides in Johnstown, married Mary Whitney. 5. Nellie Blanch, at home. 6. Francis Rella.     Mrs. Custer is one of the charter members of the Union Benevolent Association of Conemaugh Valley, and at this time (1906) is the president of the association. She is also a charter member of Woman's Relief Corps of Johnstown, and Emery Fisher Post, No. 30. She was the organizer of the Ladies' Auxiliary of Sons of Veterans, No. 16, having passed the chair; a charter member of the Johnstown City Hospital, and now (1906) vice-president; also member of Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital.     JOHN COX, deceased, for many years prominently identified with the financial interests of Johnstown, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, especially in the insurance line, and who was a factor in the political history of the city, was descended from a respected family of Ireland.     He was born in county Mayo, Ireland. His education was acquired in the schools of his native town, and he was apprenticed to learn the trade of shoemaking, in which he became an expert. He was still a very young roan when he came to the United States, settled in New Jersey, and followed his trade. After a time he removed to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he continued his trade, his shop being located on the present site of the home of his widow, at the corner of Railroad and Matthews streets. He was very successful in his occupation, but gave it up later in order to establish himself as an insurance broker, for life and fire insurance companies. He was progressive and enterprising in his methods of business, and had an enviable reputation for reliability and probity. This rendered his business a very flourishing one, and at his death it was carried on by his widow. Mr. Cox was an active and influential member of his political party, and held public office for many years, to the great benefit of the community. He was elected justice of the peace while still carrying on his trade of shoemaking, and held this office for a period of twenty-four years. He was injured at the kneecap in the platform accident at the Pennsylvania railroad station in Johnstown, when President Johnson was passing through the city. At the election of county officials which followed, he was elected to the office of county treasurer on the Democratic ticket. He had accepted the nomination for this office against his own inclination, but acceded to the wishes of his wife. He served the full term, which was at that

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