Custer Surname

The surname of Custer is German, or Teutonic in origin. In Germany, the name was spelled Kuster or Kusters. The English meaning of the name is “a sacristan” a sacristan being the keeper of sacred utensils in a church. Someone from the Custer family probably originally held that office in the Roman Catholic Church which is how this surname came to be. Our line can be traced to about 1542. Also, I have two different lines of decent from the Custer family, and I will include both. This is the same family as the illustrious General George A. Custer of Custer’s Last Stand.

Olulus Kusters was born circa 1510 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany. He had a son, Reiner (see next generation).

Reiner Kusters was born circa 1542 in Kalenkirchen, Germany. He died on June 3, 1616 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany. He had a son: Johannes (see next generation).

Johannes Kusters was born about 1576 in Kaldenkirchen, Germany. 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 baliff.

Arnold “Aret” Kuster was born on September 18, 1608 in Kaldenkirchen, Rhineland, Germany. 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.

Paulus Kuster was born in Kaldenkirchen, Rhineland, Germany circa 1643. 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 Philedelphia. 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.

Arnold (Arets) Custer was born before September 6, 1669 (the date he was baptized) in Kaldenkirchen, Rhineland, Germany. 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.

George Custer was born circa 1705 in Germantown, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. 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.

Paul Custer was born circa 1710 in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, in a part that is now Montgomery County. 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.

William Custer was born circa 1731 in Pennsylvania, probably Philadelphia County. After his father’s murder in 1756, he was said to have been adopted by his uncle Conrad Custer along with his siblings and a variety of other Custer relatives. Soon after that, he crossed the Allegheny Mountains and moved to the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, where he was married to a woman probably named Mary, in about 1753. They had children: Arnold (see next generation), William, Polly, and possibly more children.

William joined the militia to fight in the French and Indian War (or 7 years war) in the 1750’s. It is said that one time while William was away fighting, his wife was captured by Indians and taken to Canada where she was held prisoner with other whites. Mrs. Custer was said to have been held captive for 20 years, and was bought by a French doctor who released her. After her release she went home to find her family, meanwhile, her husband went out to find her, but died along the way, somewhere between Virginia and Pennsylvania, this was in about 1786. Mrs. Custer survived until about 1791.

Jonathan Custer was born on October 4, 1738 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. 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.

Arnold Custer was born on April 29, 1755 in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. When Arnold was about 10 years old, his mother was kidnapped by Indians and held captive for nearly 20 years. When Arnold grew to adulthood, he moved west to Kentucky. Before moving to Kentucky, Arnold served in the Revolutionary War as a private in the Virginia troops. Arnold probably first went to Clark County, Kentucky, where he married Elizabeth Scholl, relative of Daniel Boone, in about 1788. Arnold and Elizabeth had 11 children: Ruel, William, Sarah, James (see next generation), Polly, Jesse, Rachel, Elizabeth, Arnold, Elijah and Isaac. Arnold and his family also lived in Fayette and Barren County, Kentucky. Arnold was a Lieutenant in the 10th Kentucky Regiment in 1792.

In the early 1800’s, Arnold lost his land in Kentucky twice and decided to move to Indiana. It was the year 1814, when Arnold and his family came to Jefferson County, Indiana and settled near Madison. Arnold and his family were Baptists. His wife died in 1825 and he died on May 14, 1840 at his farm in Monroe Township, Jefferson County, Indiana. He was buried in the Hebron Baptist Cemetery, Jefferson County, Indiana.

Benjamin Custer was born on April 17, 1763 in Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Benjamin moved with his family to Berks County, Pennsylvania in his youth. He was there married to Margaret Bell on October 26, 1796. He and Margaret had 6 children: Samuel, Isaiah (see next generation), Charles, Hannah, Mary and William. Sometime after about 1800, Benjamin moved with his family to Virginia, where they first settled in Berkeley County. He afterwards moved to Jefferson County, Virginia, where he died on January 5, 1832. The area of Virginia that Benjamin lived in was what became West Virginia.

James Custer was born on December 15, 1796 near Lafayette, in Fayette County, Kentucky. James was 17 when he moved with his family to Jefferson County, IN, in 1814. James was a farmer and a very adventurous youth. I have a letter written by him in 1880 in which he gives an account of his youth and when he nearly married an Indian woman. James bought 160 acres of land in Monroe Township, Jefferson Co., IN, just north of the city of Madison. On this land he was married to Catherine Ross on February 26, 1828. They had 13 children: Mary (see next generation), Samuel, Arnold, Isom, James, Jesse, Nancy, Martha, Sarah, Hannah, Catherine, Elizabeth and Taylor.

James was a highly respected member of his community and was a Baptist. He was also a healthy man. James died on July 10, 1887 at his farm in Monroe Township, Jefferson Co., IN, due to the affects of old age, he was 80 years of age. He was buried in the Hebron Baptist Cemetery, Jefferson Co., IN

Isaiah Custer was born on December 10, 1798 in Pennsylvania, probably Berks County. When Isaiah was a young man, he moved with his family to Virginia, where they settled in Jefferson County, which is now in West Virginia. Isaiah was married to Elizabeth Seilhammer on June 5, 1825 in Berkeley County, Virginia. Isaiah and Elizabeth had 7 children: Charles (see next generation), John, Ellen, George, Levi, Mary, and Henry.

Isaiah was a farmer and lived with his family in Virginia for only a few years. In about 1830, he moved with his family to Montgomery County, Ohio. He stayed there for no more than about 10 years. In about 1837, Isaiah moved once more with his family, this time they settled down in Ripley County, Indiana. Isaiah was a Baptist with his family 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., IN.

Mary Jane Custer was born on January 14, 1829 at her father’s farm in Monroe Township, Jefferson County, Indiana. She was the oldest in a family of 13 children. (see below)

Charles H. Custer was born on January 10, 1826 in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia). When he was only about 4 years old, he moved with his family to Montgomery County, Ohio, and when he was about 11 years old, to Ripley County, Indiana. While living in Ripley County, Charles met a girl in neighboring Jefferson County that he fell in love with. Her name was Mary Custer, and they were 4th cousins. They were married on January 16, 1851 in Monroe Twp., Jefferson County, Indiana.

Charles was a carpenter and also made a living as a farmer. He and Mary lived in Jefferson County, where they had 2 sons: John (see next generation), and David. In 1862, Charles enlisted in the Militia, although it is not known if he actually served in the Civil War or not. After the Civil War, or in the 1860’s or 1870’s, Charles moved with his family north to Boone County, Indiana, to the city of Thorntown. Mary died there on August 25, 1878. Charles died in Lebanon, Boone Co., IN, on August 7, 1903. Both were buried in the Cox Cemetery, Boone County, IN.

John William Custer was born on August 12, 1852 in Monroe Township, Jefferson County, Indiana. When John was in his adolescence, he moved with his family to Boone County, Indiana. John grew to adulthood in Boone County, where he was by occupation a teacher and a livestock dealer. John was married to Elizabeth “Lizzie” R. Taylor on April 26, 1882. They had 4 children: Charles, June, Louise (see next generation), and Mary.

In 1904, John moved with his family to the bustling city of Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN. Besides his earlier occupations, John was also an employee of the Big Four Railroad and was also connected with the Central Press Clipping Bureau. After John’s wife died in 1916, he took up the hobby of ballroom dancing. John soon became an expert dancer, and won a number of dance prizes. In 1927 he was credited with a perfect execution of the Waltz. John was a Christian Scientist. He died of heart disease on March 24, 1936 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was buried beside his wife in the Cox Cemetery, Boone Co., IN.

Above is a photo of the John Custer's family and some other of his wife's relatives. John stands 2nd to the last on the right.

Elizabeth Louise Custer was born on September 9, 1890 at her parent’s farm near Hazelrigg in Jefferson Township, Boone County, Indiana. Her real name was Elizabeth, but she always went by her middle name Louise. Louise and her family moved to Indianapolis, IN, in 1904, when she was 14. In her youth, Louise was a long distance swimmer, and swam for the Hoosier Athletic Club and the Indianapolis Athletic Club.

Louise was married to Odin F. Wadleigh on September 1, 1923 in Indianapolis, Indiana, she was almost 33 years old. She and Odin had 2 sons: John and Paul. Louise and Odin lived in Indianapolis for the remainder of their lives and were exemplary citizens. They were both Christian Scientists. During World War II, Louise was an active member of the American Red Cross and received several medals and awards for her wartime Red Cross work. Louise had cancer, of which she died from on December 17, 1962 at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. She was cremated and buried with her husband at the Mausoleum at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana.

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