John Custer, was a native of MD, but removed to Somerset Co., PA. He was a shoemaker & farmer by occupation. He resided in Somerset Co. until his death."[His father moved to Somerset Co. between 1800 & 1810, at an advanced age, & in his 1812 will he identifies himself as "of Strassburg", which is in Franklin Co., PA John Custer, son of John Custer, was born in one of the eastern co.s of PA, probably Cumberland, & followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He removed to Somerset Co., PA after his marriage, acquired a tract of land in the woods, & cleared a part of this for farm purposes.. He died in Somerset Co., & is buried in Shade twp. [His grave has been located beside his bro. Frederick along the road between Davidsville & Foustwell in Conemaugh Twp. He married-------------, & they had chldrn: 1. Frederick, who settled in Richland twp. & spent his life there. He married Sophie Fisher. 2. Henry, remained in Shade Twp., Somerset Co., PA & is buried on his farm. He married a Miss Holsapple. 3. Abraham, settled in Morrison's Cove, PA & died there. He married Martha _____ 4. Susan, married George Berkebile, died in Richland Twp., Cambria Co., PA. 5. Elizabeth, married Daniel Woodford, died in Shade twp., Somerset Co., PA. 6. Martha, married John Shaffer, died in Shellsburg, Bedford, Co., PA. 7. Jacob, see forward. There are 19 stones in the Custer Family Graveyard, located just off the edge of Miller-Picking Rd, right at the top of the hill coming from Foustwell towards Davidsville, In Conemaugh Twp., Somerset Co. 2 are of regular marble, & are both broken & extremely faded, but they can be read as John Kuster & Frederick Kuster. Both also have 'Rev. War Veteran' flags next to them. Of the remaining 17, all are rough fieldstones, & only 3 of those have inscriptions, comprised solely of initials and yrs: 1. EK 1841 is assumed to be Elizabeth (Stover) Kuster, wife of Frederick. 2. BK 1837 could be John's wife, although my current records list a 21 Oct 1837 date of death for Elizabeth. 3. MBK 185 no furthers digits could be made out on the date. This probably is John & Frederick's mother, Margaret Barbara (Bleistein) Kuster. As John Sr died in 1812, the date is likely 1815. 1820--Moved from Franklin Co. to Conemaugh Co.

BURIAL: Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, New Paris, Pa.

CONFIRMATION: 1779, at age 17 at Christ Lutheran Church, Upper Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., Pa

OCCUPATION: Shoemaker

BIRTH: 1762, MD

DEATH: 1828, Shade Twp., Somerset Co., PA