He was in the Revolutionary War with his brother Peter. He gave his Revolutionary War Oaths of Allegiance in Lebanon Twp, Lancaster Co, PA on 25 Sept 1777 and served in the PA ARCH 5th SER Volunteers under Capt Andrew Scott and Lt. Robert Cunningham of 7th Battalion of Lancaster Co. It is said that he was taken prisoner at Quebec. Shortly after the war ended, Jacob and his brother Peter left Pennsylvania.
By 1810 both brothers are found living in adjoining counties in Kentucky -- Peter in Nicholas Co. and Jacob in Harrison Co. And by 1820 both men had settled in southern Indiana -- Peter in Dearborn Co. and Jacob in Gibson Co.