Custer, John W.

CUSTER, WHITE, BOND, COFFEY, JACKSON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/28/2009 at 10:12:56

Charles R. Custer, John W. Custer, and C. B. Wright

Charles R. Custer was born in Monroe, Iowa, May 23, 1870, and he is the son of Aaron and Hullena (White) Custer, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio; they were married in the last named state. They came west in 1869, settling in Monroe, this County, where the father engaged in his trade of carpenter and cabinet-maker. He then formed a partnership and launched out in the furniture business. This firm built the brick block now occupied by the O'Connor & Perrin Restaurant. Aaron Custer then sold out and engaged in the general fire insurance business for a few years after which he started a lumber yard in company with Messrs. Dixon and Runnels, which business, in partnership, and later, individually, he continued eighteen years. It was during this time that he was elected for two terms to the General Assembly of Iowa, on the Republican ticket, and he made a brilliant record there, winning the hearty approval of his constituents and the leaders of his party. After disposing of his lumber business he moved to Missouri, where he again resumed this line of endeavor. He owned and operated a big mill at Ash Hill, that state, for some time. At the end of three years he returned to Monroe, where, the first year, he built a number of dwelling houses. Later he built the business rooms now occupied by the firm of Custer Bros. & Wright, Mr. Custer up until his death, August 17, 1907, age sixty-three, being connected with the firm, then known as Custer, Wright & Company. In the passing away of this, one of the most prominent citizens of the early days in Jasper County, the community lost a stalwart, brainy, influential man. He probably did more for Monroe than any other citizen and at all times its best interests were his. He served as its mayor, as a councilman, upon its school board and also served his Township in numerous capacities, always with credit to himself and to the great satisfaction of the people. At one time he organized a factory for the manufacture of wood novelties and to do general woodwork, which factory was later moved to Missouri. Of a decidedly inventive mind, Mr. Custer worked for years on a system of dry separation for refractory ores, principally gold and silver, which work, since his death, has been taken up by his sons who are at present perfecting the system and the machine. Every detail and element of the invention is covered by patent and the invention bids fair to revolutionize mining in refractory ore regions. At one time Aaron Custer did his utmost to interest capital in the development of a mineral paint, the raw materials for which are in large deposits not far from Monroe. He partly succeeded, but matters over which he had no control prevented the success of the enterprise. His widow still lives in Monroe, also three children, Mary Wright, wife of C. B. Wright, Charles and John Custer, who, with Mr. Wright, compose the present firm.

On January 19, 1902, Charles Custer was united in marriage with Millie Bond, the daughter of S. A. and Lydia Bond. In politics both he and his brother are Republicans. John W. Custer married Tennie Coffey, the daughter of William Coffey, who resides in Monroe.

C. B. Wright, the third member of the firm, was born July 13, 1864, in Morrow County, Ohio, and is the son of Joseph P. and Victorine (Jackson) Wright, the father born in the state of New York and the mother in Connecticut. These parents were married in Ohio and are now both deceased, the father dying in Jasper County, Iowa, and the mother in Ohio.

As a young man Joseph P. Wright, mentioned above, farmed until the breaking out of the Civil War, when, on August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving as a brave and efficient soldier until he was sent home on account of sickness. Among other engagements in which he took part was the battle of Arkansas Post. After the War he began a mercantile business in Bloomfield, Ohio, which he conducted until the spring of 1870, when he came to Monroe. He purchased land south of town, where he lived until 1874, when he moved onto a farm north of Monroe. In 1879 he bought a farm a mile east of Belleview Church and here his death occurred in 1891 at an advanced age. The elder Wright was a splendid Christian gentleman, loyal to all the best that life holds. A sincere worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, he served it in nearly every capacity except pastor. He was also deeply interested in educational work and was for years assessor of his Township. He died beloved by all who knew him.

C. B. Wright, his son, is the only surviving child of his parents. He came to Monroe in 1892 and entered the grocery business, becoming a member of the firm of Moore & Wright. This continued until the fall of 1893, when the firm became Wright & Talmadge, and later he was in business alone for one year, having bought out Mr. Talmadge, then his grocery merged with the general store of Custer, Wright & Company.

On February 14, 1889, Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Mary Custer, daughter of Aaron Custer. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Monroe, Mr. Wright being one of the stewards. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Fairview Lodge No. 194, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Monroe, of which he is past master. He is also a member of Jasper Lodge No. 168, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Monroe, of which he has been a member many years, also of Monroe Encampment No. 60, of which he is past chief and past noble grand. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, having been banker of that order for a number of years. He was formerly a member of the town council and was trustee of Fairview Township for six years.

Besides his mercantile business, Mr. Wright is also president of the Monroe Telephone Company, the large, and rapidly growing success of which has been due to his efforts and able management. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 956.