Custer Surname

The surname Custer is German (or Teutonic) in Origin. The English translation of the name is "a sacristan" - a sacristan being the keeper of sacred utensils/objects in the church. One of our ancestors must have at one time held this office in the Catholic church. We have been able to trace our Custer family to the 16th Century, when they were living in the Rhineland area of Germany. It seems that in Germany the name was spelled closer to Kuster or Kusters. I descend from this family in two different ways (my ggg-grandparents were fourth cousins) and have included both of my Custer lines on this page.

Olulus Kusters was born circa 1510 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany.

He had at least one son:

1	Reiner Kusters

Reiner Kusters was born circa 1542 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany. He died on June 3, 1616 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany.

Father: Olulus Kusters
Mother: Unknown

1	Johannes Kusters

Johannes Kusters was born about 1576 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany. He died on April 8, 1660 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany.

Father: Reiner Kusters
Mother: Unknown

He was married to a Miss Walburgis in about 1598 in Kaldenkirchen. They had children: Hermanus, Aret (see next generation), Judt, Metgen, Lambertin, Godefried, Maria, Reiner, and Catherina. Johannes died on April 8, 1660 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany. Johannes was a member of the Catholic Church. He was a bailiff.

They had the following children:

1	Aret Kusters
2	Hermanus Kusters
3	Judt Kusters
4	Metgen Kusters
5	Lambertin Kusters
6	Maria Kusters
7	Reiner Kusters
8	Catherina Kusters

Arnold "Aret" Kuster was born on September 18, 1608 in Kaldenkirchen, Rhineland, Germany. He died on November 24, 1679 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany.

Father: Johannes Kusters
Mother: Miss Walburgis

He was married to Catherina Von Haren on October 13, 1629 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany. They had children: Maria, Johannes, Henricus, Catherina, Mathias, Lambertus, Paulus (see next generation), and Lucia. Arnold died on November 24, 1679 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany. He was a Roman Catholic.

They had the following children:

1	Maria Kuster was born on July 21, 1630.
2	Johannes Kuster was born in May 1632.
3	Henricus Kuster was born on May 26, 1635.
4	Catherina Kuster was born on May 17, 1637.
5	Matthias Kuster was born in June 1640.
6	Lambertus Kuster was born on September 17, 1642.
7	Paulus Kuster
8	Lucia Kuster was born on February 14, 1648/9.

Paulus Kuster was born in Kaldenkirchen, Rhineland, Germany circa 1643. He died in January or February 1707/8 in Germantown, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania.

Father: Arnold Kuster
Mother: Catherina Von Haren

Paulus was married to Gertrude Doors on October 16, 1668 at the Reformed Church in Kaldenkirchen, Germany. In Kaldenkirchen they had 4 children: Arnold (see next generation), Johannes, Matthys, and Renier. In about 1675, the family moved to Crefeld, soon after which they became Mennonites, a religion heavily persecuted by the government. In Crefeld they had children: Hermanus, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Eva.

Paulus and his family probably came to the new world out of economic and religious need. It was said that William Penn visited Crefeld, Germany and told its citizens of America as a land of religious freedom. This along with the fact that Paulus� brother-in-law lived there, were enough to make them move. Paulus and his family were among the 28 other families that arrived in Pennsylvania in 1684 and settled the town of Germantown, near Philadelphia. Paulus was a member of the Mennonite Church in Germantown. He was a farmer and a mason by occupation and died between January 28 and February 23, 1707-8 in Germantown, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. His wife Gertrude died soon after.

They had the following children:

1	Arnold Kuster
2	Johannes Kuster was born on December 12, 1670 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany. He died circa 1708. He was married to Elizabeth Cassell on September 30, 1692.
3	Matthias Kuster was born on June 12, 1671 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany.
4	Reiner Kuster was born on February 12, 1673/4 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany.
5	Anna Kuster was born on December 26, 1677 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany.
6	Hermanus Kuster was born on October 16, 1681 in Germany. He died circa 1760. He married Isabella Conrad in 1706.
7	Catrin Kuster was born on March 9, 1686/7.
8	Eva Kuster was born circa 1688.
9	Margaret Kuster was born circa 1690.

Arnold (Arets) Custer was born before September 6, 1669 (the date he was baptized) in Kaldenkirchen, Rhineland, Germany. He died in 1739 in Hanover Twp., Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania.

Father: Paulus Kuster
Mother: Gertrude Doors

When Arnold was around 6 years old, he moved with his family to Crefeld, Germany, and from there, they moved to Pennsylvania in 1684. Arnold was married 1st to a woman whose name is not known, by whom he had one son, Conrad. Afterwards, Arnold married a woman named Rebecca (maiden name possibly Nuzam). They had 7 children: Katherine, George (see next generation), Nicholas, Paul (see next generation), Arnold, Dorothy, and Hannah.

Arnold was a bricklayer by trade and was also one of the most active members of the Mennonite church. The Mennonites were pacifists, meaning they didn�t bear arms or baptize their children, among other things. Arnold and his wife were of low origins and probably didn�t speak much English, but they made sure that their children could read and write English. Arnold moved to Hanover Township, Philadelphia County, PA, where he died in 1739. His wife preceded him in death.

They had the following child:

1	Conrad Custer was born circa 1695 in Germantown, Philadelphia Co., Pennsylvania. He died on February 1, 1772 in Rockingham Co., Virginia. He was married to Susannah Adams.

They had the following children:

1	Katherine Custer was born circa 1698 in Pennsylvania. She married John Jenkins.
2	George Custer
3	Nicholas Custer was born on December 4, 1706 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died in 1784. He was married to Susanna Hoppe.
4	Paul Custer
5	Hannah Custer was born circa 1715.
6	Arnold Custer was born circa 1720. He married to Barbara.
7	Dorothy Custer was born circa 1724.

George Custer was born circa 1705 in Germantown, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. He died on November 1, 1755 in Northampton Co., Pennsylvania.

Father: Arnold Custer
Mother: Rebecca

He was married to Mary Rhodes on June 23, 1730-1 in Christ�s Church, Philadelphia, PA. They had 9 children: John, George, Joseph, Hannah, Samuel, Rebecca, Martha, Mary, and William (see next generation).

George moved with his family first to Bucks County, and then to Northampton County, Pennsylvania. George was said to have been killed by Indians in late 1756 after having fled his home in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. After his death, his wife Mary was married to William Thomas.

They had the following children:

1	William Custer
2	Joseph Custer was born on May 1, 1751. He died on January 12, 1807. He was married to Amelia Foulke.
3	Hannah Custer was married to Jesse Thomas.
4	Mary Custer died in 1822 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
5	Samuel Custer died before 1780. He was married to Elizabeth.
6	John Custer was married to Ann Thomas on August 20, 1760 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
7	Rebecca Custer married to Mr. Holben.
8	George Custer died in 1813 in Northampton Co., Pennsylvania. He married Maria.
9	Martha Custer married Mr. Thomas.

Father: Arnold Custer
Mother: Rebecca

Paul was married in about 1733 to Sarah Martha Ball, niece of Mary Rhodes (listed above). Paul and Sarah were the parents of 5 children: Jonathan (see next generation), John, William, George, and Nicholas.

Paul was a Mennonite in early life and became a Lutheran before his death. He died on November 10, 1783 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. His wife died in 1779.

They had the following children:

1	Jonathan Custer
2	William Custer was born February 12, 1739/40.
3	George Custer was born December 15, 1744.
4	Nicholas Custer was born in 1746.
5	Paul Custer was born on December 1, 1747.

William Custer was born circa 1732, probably in Pennsylvania. He died circa 1786.

Father: George Custer
Mother: Mary Rhodes

There is not much known about William's life, including proof of his parents. Most family histories suggest that he was the son of George Custer and his wife Mary Rhodes. However it's also possible that he was the son of George's half-brother Conrad Custer and his wife Susannah Adams.

Regardless of his parentage, William was probably born in Pennsylvania and moved to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in his youth, probably with various relatives. William was probably married somewhere in Virginia during the early 1750s. They had at least 6 children. During this time, they lived in what was then Augusta County, Virginia. Eventually they settled in what is now Greenbrier County, West Virginia.

William served in the French and Indian War during the 1750s and 1760s. According to family history, it was while he was away in war service in about 1763 that his wife was captured by Indians and held captive for about 20 years. His family probably moved and lived somewhere safer between 1763 and 1769. They had settled in what is now Greenbrier County, West Virginia before 1772.

William probably believed his wife was dead. It's possible he remarried to a widow named Judith Murley, who had at least one son, Daniel Murley Jr. William probably spent the rest of his in Botetourt (later Greenbrier) County, (West) Virginia. Family history is that he died at the same time that his wife was released from captivity and returned home (which was in about 1783). There are various records of William Custer in Botetourt/Greenbrier County between 1772 and 1784, yet it is unclear if these records refer to William or his son of the same name.

They had the following children:

1	Mary Custer
2	Arnold Custer
3	Conrad Custer
4	William Custer

Father: Paul Custer
Mother: Sarah Martha Ball

Jonathan was married to Hannah Peters Kendall in about 1759 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. They lived there they had 5 children: Peter, Hannah, Benjamin (see next generation), Jonathan, and George. Jonathan moved with his family to Berks County, Pennsylvania. He died before November 13, 1823 in Amityville, Berks Co., PA.

They had the following children:

1	Peter Custer
2	Hannah Custer
3	Benjamin Custer
4	Jonathan Custer
5	George Custer

Arnold Custer was born on April 29, 1755 in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. He died on May 14, 1840 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana ²⁵.

Father: William Custer
Mother: Unknown (Mary?)

Arnold Custer was born and raised somewhere in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (in what was then Augusta County). In his childhood, the family probably settled in what is now Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Family history is that when Arnold was about 10 years old, his mother was kidnapped by Indians and held captive for nearly 20 years. While living in Virginia, Arnold served in the Revolutionary War as a private in the Virginia troops. As a young adult, Arnold lived in the part of Botetourt that became Greenbrier County, Virginia (now West Virginia), where he was documented between 1774 and 1782. Then sometime between 1782 and 1784, he moved west to Kentucky with his brother William. He settled on the North Fork of Elkhorn Creek in Fayette County, where he lived for about 22 years. While living there, Arnold married Elizabeth Scholl, a relative of Daniel Boone. While living in Fayette County, Arnold was a Lieutenant in the 10th Kentucky Regiment in 1792.

In 1803, Arnold was "ejected" from his land claim in Fayette County, but they remained in Fayette County until at least 1806. Sometime between 1806 and 1808, they moved to Barren County, Kentucky; where they settled on Beaver Creek. Eventually, they also lost their land claim in Barren County. In 1814, Arnold moved with his family north to Jefferson County, Indiana. They settled on farms in Monroe Township, north of the city of Madison. Arnold remained there until his death in 1840. Arnold and his family were Baptists.

They had the following children:

1	Reuel Custer was born on October 7, 1790 in Fayette Co., Kentucky 20. He died on August 9, 1880 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 20. He married Martha Allen on October 31, 1816 in Barren Co., Kentucky.
2	William Custer was born on September 6, 1792 in Fayette Co., Kentucky. He died on October 22, 1881 in Decatur Co., Indiana. He married Sally Downer on May 4, 1820 in Jefferson Co., Indiana.
3	Sarah Custer was born on September 5, 1794 in Fayette Co., Kentucky. She died after 1840 in Franklin Co., Kentucky. She married first James Fielding on February 15, 1813 in Barren Co., Kentucky 16. She married second Matthew Robertson.
4	James Custer
5	Polly Custer was born on April 28, 1798 in Fayette Co., Kentucky.
6	Jesse Custer was born on April 25, 1800 in Fayette Co., Kentucky. He died on February 16, 1885 in Bryantsburg, Jefferson Co., Indiana. He married Nancy Spurgin on April 1, 1830 in Jefferson Co., Indiana.
7	Rachel Custer was born on October 15, 1802 in Fayette Co., Kentucky. She died on February 19, 1874 in Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. She married Gidian Jackson on June 10, 1819 in Jefferson Co., Indiana.
8	Elizabeth Custer was born on October 5, 1805 in Kentucky. She died on June 14, 1860 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 20. She married John Denny on January 7, 1828 in Jefferson Co., Indiana.
9	Arnold Custer was born on March 2, 1808 in Kentucky. He died in 1887 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 20. He married first Leannah Moore on April 17, 1831 in Jefferson Co., Indiana. He married second Malinda Jane New on May 11, 1839 in Jefferson Co., Indiana.
10	Elijah Custer was born on January 8, 1810 in Kentucky. He died in 1825.
11	Isaac Custer was born on September 10, 1814 in Jefferson Co., Indiana. He died before 1896. He married Maria Felter on October 1, 1840 in Jefferson Co., Indiana.

Father: Jonathan Custer
Mother: Hannah Peters

Benjamin moved with his family to Berks County, Pennsylvania in his youth. He was married there to Margaret Bell on October 26, 1796. He and Margaret had 6 children: Samuel, Isaiah (see next generation), Charles, Hannah, Mary and William. Benjamin and his family lived in Amity Township in Berks County. They attended church at St. Gabriel's Church in the village of Douglassville. Sometime between 1810 and 1817, they left Pennsylvania and moved to what is now West Virginia. They were first documented in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1817. Benjamin remained in Berkeley County until 1830 or 1831 when he moved to neighboring Jefferson County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He died there on January 5, 1832.

Father: Jonathan Bell
Mother: Mary Yocum

She was last found living with her daughter Hannah in 1850 in what is now Berkeley County, West Virginia. She probably died prior to the 1860 census, when she was not enumerated with any of her children. Since Hannah died in 1850, and Margaret was apparently not buried next to her; I'm guessing that Margaret left to go live with one of her other children, perhaps in Pleasants or Jefferson County, West Virginia. Some researchers believe she was the "Margaret Bell" who was buried on October 5, 1852 in Bunkers Hill in Berkeley County, West Virginia (the same place as Margaret's daughter Hannah Holliday), yet that was a different woman: Margaret Kownslar, widow of Joseph Bell.

1	Samuel Custer was born circa 1797 in Amity Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. He died sometime between 1850 and 1870 in Berkeley Co., Virginia (now West Virginia). He married Mary Crim on June 9, 1823 in Berkeley Co., Virginia (now West Virginia). (She was born circa 1803 in Virginia 15 and died after 1850.) They had 4 children: Randolph, Rebecca, Mary C., and Almira Custer.
2	Isaiah Custer
3	Mary Custer was born on July 13, 1803 in Amity Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania 23. She died on March 14, 1876 in Pleasants Co., West Virginia 23. She married Charles Seckman on March 15, 1830 in Berkeley Co., Virginia (now West Virginia). (He was born on July 30, 1807 in Pennsylvania 23 and died on June 6, 1864 in Pleasants Co., West Virginia 23.) They had 5 children: Margaret, John, Ann E., Andrew J., and Mary E. Seckman. They are both buried in the Hart-Seckman Cemetery, Pleasants Co., West Virginia.
4	Charles B. Custer was born circa 1805 in Amity Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania 15. He died on May 30, 1880 in Madison, Jefferson Co., Indiana 24. He married Caroline on July 22, 1830 in Berkeley Co., Virginia (now West Virginia). (She was born circa 1816 in Virginia 15 and died on January 26, 1890 in Madison, Jefferson Co., Indiana 24.) They had 5 children: Frances A., William, Alton, Charles, and Caroline Custer.
5	Hannah Custer was born in February 1809 in Amity Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. She died on August 24, 1850 in Berkeley Co., Virginia (now West Virginia). She married Colbert Holliday on August 12, 1830 in Berkeley Co., Virginia (now West Virginia). (He was born on June 18, 1807 in Virginia and died in 1852 in Berkeley Co., Virginia (now West Virginia). They had 9 children: William D., George F., Margaret A., Mary C., Elizabeth, Charles T., Benjamin H., Marion and David C. Holliday.
6	William B. Custer was born circa 1812 in Berkeley Co., Virginia (now West Virginia). He died in 1858. He married Ann Morgan on December 19, 1843 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 14.

10th Generation: James Custer was born on December 15, 1796 in Fayette County, Kentucky 16,20,26. He died on July 10, 1887 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 16,20,26. He is buried in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana. Father: Arnold Custer Mother: Elizabeth Scholl In 1814, James moved with his family to Jefferson County, Indiana. James was a farmer. There is a surviving letter written by him in 1880 in which he gives an account of his youth and when he nearly married an Indian woman. Eventually James bought 160 acres of land in Monroe Township, Jefferson County, Indiana, where he apparently lived until his death. He and his family were members of the Hebron Baptist Church. James married Catherine Ross on February 26, 1828 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 14,16.

1	Mary Jane Custer
2	Arnold Custer was born on February 27, 1830 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co. Indiana 16. He died on November 25, 1852 16.
3	Samuel Custer was born on February 27, 1830 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 20. He died on March 12, 1913 in Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana 20. He is buried in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana. He married Nancy Ann Lame on December 30, 1852 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 14. (She was born circa 1831 in Indiana and died on April 7, 1855 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 20. She was buried in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana.) They had the following children: infant Custer (1853-1853) Isom Newton Custer (1855-1855) He was a lawyer. He and his wife are both buried in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Jefferson Co., Indiana.
4	Isom Newton Custer was born on July 17, 1831 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 16. He died on August 26, 1854 16.
5	James Marshall Custer was born on December 10, 1832 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 16. He died on September 7, 1855 in Monroe Twp. Jefferson Co., Indiana 20. He is buried in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana.
6	Jesse Custer was born on April 6, 1833 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 12. He died on June 14, 1879 in Thorntown, Boone Co., Indiana 12. He is buried in the Cox Cemetery, Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. He married Mary Melissa Allen on May 16, 1878 in Boone Co., Indiana 27. (She was born in July 1845 in Ohio 15 and died after 1930 in Lebanon, Boone Co., Indiana.) Jesse served in the Civil War out of Boone Co., Indiana. He and Mary had no children.
7	Nancy Ellen Custer was born on September 11, 1835 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 16. She died on November 9, 1918 in Canton, Stark Co., Ohio 28. She is buried in the Cline Cemetery, Royal Center, Cass Co., Indiana. She married William H. W. Bell on November 25, 1852 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 14. (He was born circa 1830 in Kentucky 15 and died on March 12, 1907 in Logansport, Cass Co., Indiana. He is buried in the Cline Cemetery, Royal Center, Cass Co., Indiana) They had the following children: Mary Catherine Bell (1854-1937) md. William P. Girton Sarah Ellen "Ella" Bell (1855-1935) md. Christopher C. Hanks Charles T. Bell (1858-1900) md. Emma R. Kistler Prudence M. Bell (1860-1940) md. Winfield Scott Brown Isom Newton Bell (1861-1900) Dora Bell (c. 1864-???) Gordon S. Bell (1865-1941) Jo Hettie Bell (1868-1937) md. Ned Henry Baker James Bell (1869-1895) md. Paulina M. Emma E. Bell (1871-1925) md. Alfred Perry Shortridge Jethro T. Bell (1873-1956) md. Stella Josephine Ross George W. Bell (1877-1955) md. Bertha M. Clark In 1860, they were in Ripley Co., Indiana. In 1870 they were in Fulton Co., Indiana and they were in Cass Co., Indiana in 1880.
8	Elizabeth Custer was born on May 12, 1837 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 16. She died on April 17, 1848 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 20. She is buried in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Jefferson Co., Indiana. Her tombstone indicates she actually was born in about 1847.
9	Martha Ann Custer was born on February 4, 1839 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 16. She died on May 30, 1914 in Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York. She married Eber L. Graves on October 7, 1858 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 14. (He was born on February 8, 1836 in Indiana 20 and died on October 30, 1889 in Indianapolis, Indiana 20.) She had three children: Ida M. Graves (1859-1942) md. 1st. John Litney md. 2nd. Louis Dauffalder Gray Algernon Graves (1861-1863) Elizabeth H. Graves (1862-1863) By 1870, they are living in Muncie, Indiana and by 1887 in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1900, Martha was living with her daughter in New York City, NY. In 1910, she was living with a niece in Franklin, Indiana.
10	Sarah Custer was born on November 30, 1841 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 16. She died on July 22, 1911 in Normal, McLean Co., Illinois 16. She is buried in the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Bloomington, McLean Co., Illinois. She married John Ramsey Humphrey on May 19, 1868 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 14. (He was born on July 16, 1827 in Menard, Petersburg Co., Indiana 16 and died on September 12, 1914 in Normal, McLean Co., Illinois 16. He is buried in the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Bloomington, McLean Co., Illinois.) She had five children: Martha Emma Humphrey (1869-1947) Annabel Humphrey (1872-1954) John Ross Humphrey (1873-1945) James Custer Humphrey (1875-1939) Jessie Elizabeth Humphrey (1884-1953) In 1870, Sarah was living with her family in Menard County, Illinois. Sometime during the 1870s, they moved to McLean County, Illinois, where they remained. Sarah's five children all lived to adulthood, but none of them ever married or had children.
11	Hannah Custer was born on September 20, 1843 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 20. She died on November 30, 1898 in Shelby Twp., Ripley Co., Indiana 20. She is buried in the Herbon Baptist Church Cemetery, Jefferson Co., Indiana. She married James A. Herring on March 1, 1866 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 14. (He was born on February 1, 1830 in Indiana 20 and died on May 2, 1900 in Shelby Twp., Ripley Co., Indiana 20.) They had nine children: Nettie J. Herring (1867-1941) md. George W. Van Antwerp James P. Herring (1868-1938) md. Della A. Plew Sarah Catherine Herring (1870-1933) md. William T. Benefiel John Oliver Herring (1872-1931) md. Nellie C. Daily Mattie P. Herring (1873-1913) md. John Wheeler Zephaniah T. Herring (1876-1944) md. Merphy V. O'Neel Elizabeth F. Herring (1877-1900) Samuel J. Herring (1879-1943) md. Pearl M. Hannah Florence Herring (1881-1957) md. Walter R. Mitchell
12	Catherine Custer was born on February 8, 1845 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 16. She died on March 17, 1845 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 20. She is buried in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Jefferson Co., Indiana. Her tombstone indicates that she was born in about 1843.
13	William Taylor Custer was born on January 6, 1848 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 16. He died on November 21, 1881 in McLean Co., Illinois. He is buried in the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Bloomington, McLean Co., Illinois.

Father: Benjamin Custer
Mother: Margaret Bell

When Isaiah was a young man, he moved with his family to Virginia, where they settled in Berkeley County, which is now in West Virginia. Isaiah was married to Elizabeth Seilhammer on June 5, 1825 in Berkeley County.

Isaiah was a farmer and lived with his family in Virginia for only a few years. In about 1828, he moved with his family to Seneca County, Ohio, where they lived between at least 1828 and 1833. After this, they lived briely in Montgomery County, Ohio. In about 1836, Isaiah moved to Ripley County, Indiana. Isaiah was a Baptist and he died on August 17, 1862 at his farm in Shelby Township, Ripley County, Indiana. He was buried in the Hebron Baptist Church, Jefferson Co., Indiana.

They had the following children:

1	Charles H. Custer
2	John William Custer was born on March 27, 1829 in Berkeley Co., Virginia (now West Virginia) 17. He died on August 25, 1901 in Summitville, Madison Co., Indiana 17. He married Sarah Caroline Wilson on November 15, 1853 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 14. (She was born on August 15, 1835 in Goshen, Clermont Co. Ohio 17 and died on February 19, 1918 in Osgood, Ripley Co., Indiana 17.) They had the following children: Kate A. Custer (1854-1928) md. Levi E. McKnight Cordelia "Corda" Belle Custer (1856-1900) md. Francis E. Franklin Elizabeth Ellen Custer (1858-1928) md. Thomas Martin Brook W. Custer (c. 1859-1928) md. Charles A. Utter William Franklin Custer (1860-1919) md. Ella M. Howard Minnie Custer (1861-1862) Ida May Custer (1863-1935) md. Thomas Milton Bevelheimer Abraham Wilson Custer (1864-1865) George Custer (1866-1867) Clara Maude Custer (1867-1889) Alice Custer (1869-1930s) md. Albert C. Wright Mabel Grace Custer (1875-1950) md. Colbert A. Baird
3	Ellen Jane Custer was born on July 23, 1830 32 probably in Seneca Co., Ohio. She died on November 15, 1899 in Whiteland, Johnson Co., Indiana 18,31,32. She is buried in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Franklin Co., Indiana. She married David Percival Eccles on December 27, 1851 in Ripley Co., Indiana 19. (He was born on October 13, 1830 in Jefferson Co., Indiana 22 and died on September 3, 1898 in Whiteland, Johnson Co., Indiana 18.) They had the following chilren: John Samuel Eccles (1852-1930) md. 1st. Martha A. Smith md. 2nd. Letitia E. Mary Eccles (1855-1913) md. Jesse H. Smith George W. Eccles (1859-1932) md. Mattie J. Vanarsdoll Sarah M. Eccles (1858-1914) md. Edward A. Terhune Charles F. Eccles (1861-1941) md. Mariam Abbie Parkhurst William M. Eccles (1863-1948) md. Clara Prichard Franklin M. Eccles (1867-1934) md. 1st. Edith J. Gilmer md. 2nd. Minnie D. Vandiver Nellie Jane Eccles (1868-1923) md. Martin H. Keller G. Edward Eccles (1871-1935) md. Mary Rose
4	Levi Custer was born on March 3, 1833, probably in Hopewell Twp., Seneca Co., Ohio. He died on January 30, 1913 in Marble Corner, Ripley Co., Indiana. He is buried in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana. He married Sarah Jane Higbie on November 7, 1863 in Ripley Co., Indiana 19. (She was born on June 4, 1833 in Indiana and died on October 16, 1884 in Ripley Co., Indiana. She is buried in the West Fork Baptist Cemetery, Ripley Co., Indiana.) They had the following children: Anna M. Custer (1865-1895) md. James W. Cummins Levi Custer (1872-1953)
5	George Washington Custer was born on December 23, 1835 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. He died on February 16, 1910 in Alexandria, Madison Co., Indiana. He married Comfort J. Peters on February 7, 1861. (She was born in February 1842 in Ohio and died in 1914 in Alexandria, Madison Co., Indiana.) George and Comfort had 5 children: Ida, Ellen, John, Joseph H., and George E. Custer. They are both buried in the Forestville Cemetery, Madison Co., Indiana.
6	Mary Elizabeth Custer was born on December 24, 1838 in Shelby Twp., Ripley Co., Indiana 20. She died on April 19, 1919 in Indiana 31. Mary married first James I. McCarty on January 10, 1864 in Ripley Co., Indiana 19. (He was born on March 31, 1827 in Indiana 20 and died on October 4, 1903 in Shelby Twp., Ripley Co., Indiana). Mary had no children, but they had one adopted son: Charles McCarty. She married second to William Jackson in about 1908.

Mary Jane Custer was born on January 14, 1829 in Monroe Township, Jefferson County, Indiana ^12,16. She died on August 24 ¹² or 25 ^5,16, 1878 in Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. She is buried in the Cox Cemetery, Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana.

Father: James Custer
Mother: Catherine Ross

Mary was raised in rural Jefferson County, Indiana. As the oldest in a family of 13, Mary must have surely had many childhood responsibilities. She and her family were also members of the Hebron Baptist Church in Monroe Township. In about 1837, a family named Custer settled just over the county and township line in Ripley County, Indiana. Eventually, Mary Custer became engaged to Charles Custer from this family, her fourth cousin.

Mary and Charles Custer were married in 1851 in Jefferson County, Indiana. They remained there until sometime during the 1860's, when they moved to Boone County, Indiana. In Boone County, they lived in Jefferson Township and also perhaps in Thorntown.

She married Charles H. Custer on January 16, 1851 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 14. For information on their children, see his page. Charles H.* Custer was born on January 10, 1826 5,11,31 in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia). He died on August 7, 1903 in Lebanon, Boone Co., Indiana 5,11,12,13,31. He is buried in the Cox Cemetery, Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. Father: Isaiah Custer Mother: Elizabeth Salehamer Charles spent his infancy in Berkeley County, Virginia (in what is now northeast West Virginia, near the border with Maryland). In about 1828, he moved with his family to Ohio, where they lived in both Seneca and Montgomery Counties. In about 1836, they moved to Ripley County, Indiana where they remained. They lived in Shelby Township in southern Ripley County, but apparently had more of a civic presence in neighboring Jefferson County, Indiana. Charles and his family were probably members of the Hebron Baptist Church in Jefferson County. In Jefferson County, Charles and his family became acquainted with another (distantly related) Custer family that lived there. Eventually, he became engaged to Mary Custer, his fourth cousin. They were married in 1851. Charles was primarily a carpenter, and also made a living as a farmer. He and Mary lived in Jefferson County, where they had 2 sons. In 1862, Charles enlisted in the Militia, although he never actually served in the military. In 1868, Charles moved with his family north to Boone County, Indiana, where they settled near Thorntown in Jefferson Township. Mary died there on August 25, 1878. In 1888, Charles remarried to a widow named Mary Powell. In 1888 or 1889, they moved to the nearby city of Lebanon, Indiana. He lived there until his death from dysentery at the age of 77. * His middle name is unknown, as he is only listed with a middle initial "H." on a few records, and generally used no middle initial at all. A guess is that his middle name was Henry, perhaps named after his father's uncle Henry Bell - the only known "H" name among any of his known relatives. He married Mary Jane Custer on January 16, 1851 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 14.

1

John William Custer

2

David Wallace Custer was born on March 4, 1854 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson Co., Indiana 31. He died on December 8, 1926 in Lebanon, Boone Co., Indiana 31. He is buried in the Cox Cemetery, Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. He married first to Jane A. Riggins on March 2, 1879 in Boone Co., Indiana 27. (She was born on February 11, 1857 in Indiana 12 and died on January 29, 1888 in Boone Co., Indiana 12. She is buried in the Cox Cemetery, Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana.) They had one child: Jessie Mae Custer (1881-1948) md. Wallace Lee Bratton David married second to Ella Frances Todd on December 21, 1892 in Boone Co., Indiana 27. (She was born ion August 18, 1860 in Franklin Co., Indiana 31 and died on Jauary 23, 1943 in Lebanon, Boone Co., Indiana 31. She is buried in the Cox Cemetery, Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana.) They had one child: David Ross Custer (1895-1978) md. Mary Alice Long David was a farmer and often worked with his brother John. In 1917, he and his family moved to the city of Lebanon, where they remained.

They had no children.

12th Generation: John William* Custer was born on August 12, 1852 in Monroe Township, Jefferson County, Indiana 5,31. He died on March 24, 1936 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 6,31. He is buried in the Cox Cemetery, Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. Father: Charles H. Custer Mother: Mary Jane Custer In 1868 (when he was 15 or 16), John moved with his family to Boone County, Indiana. John grew to adulthood in Boone County, where the family lived on a farm northwest of Lebanon. John first worked as a farmer, but became a school teacher sometime during the 1870s. He was working as a teacher as late as 1885. After this, John supported his family by working as a live stock dealer. John was also the assistant (vice) postmaster for Hazelrigg, Indiana. In 1882, John was married to Elizabeth Taylor, who was raised on a nearby farm. They raised a family of one son and three daughters. In 1904, John and his family moved from their rural farmhouse to Indianapolis, Indiana. In Indianapolis, the family lived in at least four different rented homes between 1904 and 1920. In Indianapolis, John continued to work as a live stock (poultry) dealer, but that vocation did not last long. During the early 1910s, his occupation switched to the business world. Over the next 20 years, he worked in various capacities as a clerk - for a gas company, for a railroad company and finally for the Central Press Clipping Bureau, where he worked with his son-in-law Harry Dragoo. John's wife died in 1916, and he afterwards lived with his daughter June Dragoo and family. He continued living with June's family until the early 1930s, when he moved in with his daughter Louise Wadleigh and family, who also lived in Indianapolis. In his youth, John had been a Presbyterian, but had become a Christian Scientist before his death. He was a member of the Masons and also the McGuffey Club and Fifty-Fifty Club. In his old age (during the 1920s), John took up the hobby of ballroom dancing. He eventually became a prominent ballroom dancer and won prizes in several dance competitions. In about 1927, he was credited with a perfect execution of waltz steps. John died of heart disease at the age of 83, at his daughter's home in Indianapolis. * His middle name is unknown, as he was only listed with the middle initial W. on known records. It's an educated guess that his middle name was William, and that he was named after his father's brother, John William Custer (1829-1901). John was married to Elizabeth Romona Taylor on April 26, 1882 in Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana 7,27.

1	Charles Sumner Custer was born on July 4, 1886 8,29,31 in Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana. He died on October 25, 1948 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 8,31. He is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana. He married Lena Hortense Morrison on November 12, 1913 in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., Ohio 30. (She was born on February 12, 1883 in Kentucky 31 and died on June 25, 1962 in Gosport, Owen Co., Indiana 31. She is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.) They had no children. He usually went by his middle name, Sumner. He lived with his family in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1904 to 1913. Then from 1913 to about 1926, he and his wife lived together in Cincinnati, Ohio. From about 1926 to about 1931, he and his wife lived in Indianapolis, Indiana. Then from about 1931 until 1948, Charles and Lena lived in Lexington, Kentucky. He died in Indianapolis while seeking medical treatment for his skin cancer. While living with his parents in Indianapolis, Sumner worked in various capacities as a clerk. Then for most of his adulthood he worked as a manager for various grain companies. During the 1940s, he and his wife apparently also lived in and managed the Phoenix Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky.
2	June Custer was born on June 20, 1888 in Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana 1,8,31. She died on February 12, 1967 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 31. She is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana. She was married to Harry Wallace Dragoo on December 2, 1912 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 4. (He was born on August 16, 1882 in Johnson Co., Indiana 31 and died on June 5, 1945 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 31. He is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.) They had one child: Harry Wallace Dragoo (1915-2003) md. 1st. Anne Elizabeth Beasor md. 2nd. Vittoria Monaco Before her marriage, June worked as a stenographer for a packing company. June and Harry spent their entire married life together in Indianapolis, where they lived at 3802 N Graceland Avenue. Harry worked for the Central Press Clipping Bureau with his father-in-law, John Custer.
3	Louise Elizabeth Custer
4	Mary Jane Custer was born on March 16, 1896 in Jefferson Twp., Boone Co., Indiana 1,8. She died on May 7, 1921 in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois 8. She is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana. She married Carleton Russ Van Voorhees on November 7, 1917 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 8. (He was born on December 9, 1891 in Indianapolis, Indiana 8 and died on October 23, 1959 in Bradenton, Manatee Co., Florida 8. He is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana.) They had three children: Carleton Eugene Van Voorhees (1918-1918) Jean Elizabeth Van Voorhees (1920-1990) md. 1st. Kenneth Rider md. 2nd. Eli Allan Sherwood infant Van Voorhees (1921-1921) Mary graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis in about 1914. Afterwards she attended Butler University in Indianapolis where she graduated in 1917. After her marriage in 1917, they lived briefly in Indianapolis. In about 1919, they moved to Chicago. Mary died in childbirth giving birth to her second child, who was stillborn.

13th Generation: Louise Elizabeth Custer was born on September 9, 1890 near Hazelrigg in Jefferson Township, Boone County, Indiana 1,2. She died on December 17, 1962 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Olmsted Co., Minnesota 2,3. She is buried in the Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana. Father: John William Custer Mother: Elizabeth Romona Taylor Louise spent the first part of her life on a farm in rural Boone County, Indiana. In 1904, when she was 13 or 14, she moved with her family to the city of Indianapolis, Indiana. In her youth, Louise was a long distance swimmer, swimming for the Hoosier Athletic Club and the Indianapolis Athletic Club. At some point in her youth, she attended the Central Christian Church Sunday School. Louise finished her high school education in Indianapolis in about 1908, probably at Shortridge High School. After this, Louise continued to live with her family and work outside the home. In 1908 she was working as a telephone operator for the Indianapolis Star. Sometime between 1908 and 1910, she began working as a secretary for the Sanborn Electric Company, where she worked for several years. In 1918, she was working as a stenographer for the Eli Lilly and Company and in 1920 she was working as a stenographer for the J. I. Case Plow Works. She continued working as a stenographer until her marriage in 1923. Louise was apparently a gifted singer. Throughout her early adulthood, she frequently sang on choirs as an alto. She apparently enjoyed traveling, often traveling to Chicago (where her sister Mary lived) or to Cincinnati (where her brother lived). During the 1910s, Louise had become close friends with a couple named Odin and Eva Wadleigh who had recently moved to Indianapolis from New York. They met when Odin was hired as an engineer at the Sanborn Electric Company in 1912, where she had already worked for a few years. Sadly, Odin's wife Eva committed suicide in 1921. After this, Louise was supportive and comforting of Odin and his two sons. Eventually, they became engaged and were married in September 1923. They afterwards went on their honeymoon trip to New York. Louise and Odin continued to live together in Indianapolis for the duration of their lives. After the marriage, they lived together at 3030 North Delaware Street. Then in about 1943, they moved to 4220 North Rolland Road in the Wynnedale neighborhood of Indianapolis. She was living there at the time of her death. After her marriage, Louise and Odin continued to travel; they went on trips to Hawaii, Florida and New York. Louise was active in a variety of clubs and organizations including: Indianapolis Republican Women's Club, Magazine Club, Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), the Bulldog Club and the Parent-Teacher Association. During World War II, she was an active member and volunteer of the American Red Cross Canteen. At the time of her death, Louise was a Christian Scientist (even though she was raised as a Presbyterian, for some time went to a Universalist church, was briefly a Quaker, and was also probably a Methodist). Louise was an energetic and loving woman, who doted on her three sons and her nine grandchildren. She was affectionately called "Dudu" by her grandchildren. Louise suffered from cervical cancer in her old age. She eventually went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where she died in 1962 at the age of 72. She married Odin Francis Wadleigh on September 1, 1923 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana 4.

For information on their children, see his page.

1. Birth records, Boone Co., Indiana
2. Death certificate of Louise Wadleigh, 1962, Olmsted Co., Minnesota
3. Obituary of Louise Wadleigh, Indianapolis Times, Dec. 18, 1962
4. Marriage records, Marion Co., Indiana
5. S.A.R. Application of Stephen C. Sherwood
6. Obituary of John W. Custer, Indianapolis Star, March 25, 1936
7. Obituary of Elizabeth Custer, Lebanon Pioneer, January 20, 1916
8. Curtis, Grace F. Fahl-Fall and Allied Families. The Mercer Co., Ottumwa, IA, 1961.
9. Tombstone inscriptions, Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana
10. Social Security Death Index
11. Obituary of Charles Custer, Lebanon Pioneer, August 13, 1903
12. Tombstone inscriptions, Cox Cemetery, Boone Co., Indiana
13. Death records, Boone Co., Indiana
14. Marriage records, Jefferson Co., Indiana
15. Assorted US Federal Census records
16. Custer, Milo. Custer Genealogies. M. Custer, Bloomington, IL, 1944.
17. Cemetery index, Vinson Cemetery, Madison Co., Indiana
18. Indiana Deaths, 1882-1920. (Ancestry.com)
19. Marriage records, Ripley Co., Indiana
20. Tombstone inscriptions, Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Jefferson Co., Indiana
21. Virginia Marriages, 1740-1850. (Ancestry.com)
22. Online gedcom family files
23. Cemetery index, Hart-Seckman Cemetery, Pleasants Co., West Virginia
24. Death records, Jefferson Co., Indiana
25. O'Byrne. Soldiers and Patriots Buried in Indiana. Library of Congress.
26. Obituary of James Custer, Madison Courier, July 11, 1887
27. Marriage records, Boone Co., Indiana
28. Death certificate of Nancy E. Bell, 1918, Stark Co., Ohio.
29. World War I Draft Registration cards
30. Marriage register, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Vol. 253, Pg. 245
31. Death certificates, Indiana.
32. Tombstone inscriptions, Greenlawn Cemetery, Franklin, Indiana.

Books of Interest:

Custer, Milo, Custer Genealogies, Bloomington, IL, M. Custer, 1944.