He was born about 1817, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: date: 10 [44 in 1861], 11, 19 [37 in 1850], 20 [46 in 1860], 21 [59 in 1870], 22 [66 in 1880], 25 [71 at death]. place: 10, 19, 20, 21, 22]
He married Margaret [unknown family name]. She was born about 1817/1820, in New York. They seem to have had these children: [sources: marriage: 13, 22, 27 her birth: 19, 26. children: 19, 20, 21, 22]
In 1850, he was living in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He was a tobacconist. He was living with his wife Margaret, and (presumed) children Robert, Sarah, Mary, John, and William. [source: 19]
In 1860, he was living in the 14th ward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a segar maker, and owned $1500 in personal property. He was living with his wife Margaret, and (presumed) children Sarah, Robert, Mary, John, Martha, and Edward. [source: 20]
When he enlisted, he was a tobaconist. He was living in Philadelphia when he was enrolled. [sources: 10, 11 (segarmaker)]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. [sources: 10, 11 (light hair)]
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private on 19 September 1861 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Smith. He was a private in company A. [sources: 1, 10, 11, 13 (Aug 61), 28]
He fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. [source: 24]
On 27 August 1863, he returned to duty. [source: 8]
He began working as Francis Gregory's cook on 10 December 1863, and was still his cook on 30 December. [sources: 3, 9]
He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 26 December 1863 at Bealton, Virginia. [sources: 1, 11]
On 3 May 1864, he was reported as being on daily duty. [source: 12]
On 7 July 1864, he was on daily duty. On 8 July 1864, he was reported as an assistant cook. And on 9 July 1864, he was reported as servant to Captain Francis Gregory. [sources: 15, 16, 17]
On 21 October 1864, he was detailed as hospital attendent. [sources: 5, 7, 23]
On 17 November 1864, Sellers included him in a report "[i]n compliance with S.O. 59 dated Hd Qrs 5 Army Corps November 15" 1864". [source: 4]
On 21 November 1864, he went on a furlough, which ended on 2 December 1864. [source: 6]
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company. He was a private, in company A. [sources: 1, 11, 13, 28]
In 1870, he was living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a watchman. He was living with his wife Margaret, and his (presumed) children Robert, John, Martha, and Elmira. [source: 21]
In 1880, he was living at 1306 Carlisle, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a cigar maker. He was living with his wife Margaret and son Robert. [source: 22]
He died on 12 September 1888. He died "after a lingering illness from disease contracted while in the army". He was buried on Sunday, at Odd Fellows' Cemetery. He was buried from his late residence, 937 Darien Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Members of the Philanthropic Lodge, No. 15, International Order of Odd Fellows, and United Brothers' Encampment, Number 28 [?], International Order of Odd Fellows were invited to the funeral. [sources: 2, 25]
On 25 September 1888, Margaret Coster, his widow, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension. [sources: 2, 18]
In 1890, his widow, Margaret Coster, was living at 937 Darien Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Robert E Coster was also living there. [sources: 13, 14]
On 4 February 1895, his widow, Margaret Coster, died, of nephritis. She died at, or was buried from, 708 Pine Street, 24th ward, West Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 26, 27]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 pension index, by regiment (John P Coster)
3 letter, Sellers to Marvin, 30 December 1863
4 letter, Sellers to Bartlett, 17 November 1864
5 special order 100, HQ 91st PA, 21 October 1864
6 enlisted men's furloughs (John Coster)
7 [list of detailed men, probably from Sept 1864] (John Coster)
8 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 27 August 1863 (Pri Coster [?])
9 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 10 December 1863 (Pri Coster)
10 company A descriptive roll, entry 8 (John Coster)
11 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (John Coster)
12 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 3 May 1864 (Private Coster)
13 1890 US census, veterans schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia (3rd division, 20th ward), supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 402, page 2 (image 899 on Ancestry), line 20 (John P Coster)
14 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory
15 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 7 July 1864 (Pri Coster)
16 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 8 July 1864 (John Coster)
17 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 9 July 1864 (Pri [?] Coster [?])
18 pension index by name (John P Coster)
19 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County, Northern Liberties, ward 1, microfilm series M432, film 810, page 10 (John P Coster)
20 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 14, microfilm series M653, film 1164, page 435 = 58 handwritten (John Coster)
21 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, district 29, microfilm series M593, film 1395, page 351 = 119 handwritten (John Coster)
22 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 612, microfilm series T9, film 1188, page 26 = 3C handwritten (John P Coster)
23 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 22 October 1864 (Privt Coster)
24 Pennsylvania Memorial, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John Coster)
25 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer 15 September 1888 page 5 (John P Coster)
26 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 February 1895 (Margaret Coster)
27 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, 7 February 1895, page 7 (Margaret Coster)
28 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John Coster)
1900 US census: HeritageQuest index (accessed 29 April 2011), FamilySearch index (accessed 29 April 2011)
1910 US census: HeritageQuest index (accessed 29 April 2011), FamilySearch index (accessed 29 April 2011)
1920 US census: HeritageQuest index (accessed 29 April 2011), FamilySearch index (accessed 29 April 2011)
1930 US census: Footnote index (accessed 29 April 2011)
RootsWeb WorldConnect (accessed 29 April 2011)
Find-a-Grave (accessed 29 April 2011)
Philadelphia Pennsylvania death certificate, John P Coster (searched on FamilySearch 29 April 2011)
| line | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| Dwellings visited | 122 | |||||||
| Families visited | 127 | |||||||
| Name | John P Coster | Margaret " | Robert " | Sarah " | Mary " | John | William | Abraham Thachegor [?] |
| Age | 37 | 32 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4/12 | 27 |
| Sex | M | F | M | F | F | M | M | M |
| Color | ||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Tobacconist | Tobacconist | ||||||
| Real estate owned | ||||||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Pa] | New York | Pa | N York | Pa | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||||||
| Attended school within year | ||||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| Dwelling number | 408 | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Family number | 408 | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | " |
| Name | John Coster | Margaret Do | Sarah Do | Robert Do | Mary Do | John Do | Martha Do | Edward Do | William M Daniel |
| Age | 46 | 41 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 20 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | F | M | F | M | M |
| Color | |||||||||
| Occupation | Segar maker | Dress maker | Carpenter | Milliner | Carpenter | ||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||||||
| Value of personal estate | 1500 | 200 | |||||||
| Place of birth | Do [sc. Pa] | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do | Do |
| Married within year | |||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Dwelling-house number | 768 | ||||||
| Family number | 775 | ||||||
| Name | Coster John | - Robt | - John | - Margt | - Martha | - Elmira | Smith Mary |
| Age | 59 | 30 | 22 | 50 | 17 | 30 | 24 |
| Sex | M | M | F | F | F | F | F |
| Color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Watchman | Carptner [sic] | Salesman (Clerk | Keeps House | dress maker | ||
| Real estate value | |||||||
| Personal estate value | |||||||
| Birthplace | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa | Pa |
| Father foreign born | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Mother foreign born | 1 | ||||||
| Birth month if born within year | |||||||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||||||
| Attended school past year | |||||||
| Can't read | |||||||
| Can't write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| street name | Carlisle | ||
| house number | 1306 | ||
| dwelling visit # | 21 | ||
| family visit # | 23 | ||
| name | Coster John P | - Margaret | - Robt E. |
| color | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M |
| age | 66 | 60 | 40 |
| month born if born in year | |||
| relationship | Wife | Son | |
| single | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | |
| widowed/divorced | |||
| married during year | |||
| occupation | Cigar Maker | Keeping House | Carpenter |
| months unemployed | |||
| currently ill? | |||
| blind | |||
| deaf/dumb | |||
| idiotic | |||
| insane | |||
| disabled | |||
| school this year | |||
| can't read | |||
| can't write | |||
| birthplace | Penna | Ireland | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Holland | Ireland | Penna |
| mother's birthplace | Penna | Ireland | Ireland |
COSTER.--On February 4, 1895, Margaret, widow of the late John J. Coster, aged 75 years. Relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services, on Thursday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, at her late residence, 708 Pine street, above Thirty-first street and Fairmount avenue. Interment private.
COSTER.--On the 12th instant, after a lingering illness from disease contracted while in the army, JOHN P COSTER, aged 71 years.
The relatives and friends of the family, also Philanthropic Lodge, No. 15, I.O.O.F., United Brothers' Encampment, No. 28 [?], I.O.O.F., the surviving members of the Ninety first Regiment, Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, on Sunday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, from his late residence, No. 937 Darien street. To proceed to Odd Fellows' Cemetery.