John Leatherman Custer 1821-1898

CUSTER, COOMBS, BROWN, HAMLIN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/3/2001 at 07:31:29

A SUDDEN DEATH
The Grim Messenger Summons An
Aged Bonaparter.

Last Saturday afternoon our respected old friend and neighbor, J. L. Custer, was suddenly relieved of the infirmities that accompany old age. He had been declining in health for some time past but his departure was sudden and painless.

OBITUARY

[John Leatherman Custer, second son of Jonathan and Rachel Coombs Custer, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, July 10th, 1821.

At three years of age his father moved with his family to Fayett [sic] county, Pennsylvania, where the son grew to manhood and married, taking for his life companion, Orpha Brown, who stood faithfully by his side through all the vicissitudes of life, till called to her eternal reward 13 years ago last April.

In 1845 they came to Iowa, then a young state, to make their home; but did not become settled until 1854 when they came to Harrisburg township, Van Buren county. In the spring of 1874 they moved into Bonaparte, where they spent the remainder of their days.

Nine children were given them, four of whom with the faithful wife and mother have preceded him to their heavenly home, wating [sic] to welcome his coming. Five remain to mourn their loss. They are: Mrs. Sarah Jane Hamlin, of Bonaparte; Jonathan E., of St. Joseph, Mo.; Frances A., of Bonaparte, who has kept his home for him since her mother's death; Charles L. of Pella, and Richard L., of St. Joseph, Mo.

Deceased with his wife was baptized by Elder Jacob Mack into the fellowship of George's Creek Dunkard church in Sept. 1843, in Fayett [sic] county, Pa. In this faith he continued throughout his life, forty-four years of which has been spent in this and the adjoining community of Harrisburg.

Though ready and waiting for his summons, his call was sudden. Returning from a little walk in the dooryard he sat down in his rocking chair, as usual, about 2 o'clock P. M. Sat. Sept. 24th, and in a few moments passed away without a struggle. He was 77 years, 2 months and 14 days old.]

The funeral services occurred from his late home Tuesday morning, September 27, 1898. Upon the casket was a sheaf of fully-ripened grain, emblematic of the life that had just closed, in full readiness for the Reaper. Rev. A. E. Thornley spoke feelingly concerning the peaceful death of the subject of the remarks, and the choir sang several songs that were favorites of the deceased.

The burial occurred at the Vale cemetery, in Harrisburg township, where the wife and children who have gone before repose.

The pall-bearers were J. W. Whiteley, M. Wolf, Benjamin Ketcham, John Stark, W. A. Steadman and Joseph Harrop.
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Source: Entler Scrapbooks, vol. 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA