Montgomery County PA Archives Biographies.....Custer, Horace A. January 12, 1845 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson jpatter@epix.net November 11, 2025, 3:22 pm

Source: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County Pennsylvania, T. S. Benham & Company and the Lewis Publishing Company, 1904
Author: Ellwood Roberts, Editor

  HORACE A. CUSTER, the leading bookseller and stationer of 
Pottstown, is a native of that borough. He was born January 
12, 1845, being the son of Aaron L. and Elizabeth (Kinzer) 
Custer, who lived in Berks county about five miles from 
Pottstown. When a young man Aaron Ludwig Custer removed to 
New Holland, Lancaster county, where he engaged in 
mercantile life in a general country store and married 
there. Mrs. Custer was born in Lancaster county. The couple 
had seven children, three of whom are now living, as 
follows: Rose A., wife of Samuel R. Ellis; Carrie K., widow 
of Jacob Hartranft; and Horace A. Custer, all residents of 
Pottstown.

  Aaron L. Custer (father) went to Pottstown many years ago 
and was postmaster of that place in the '40s. Later he 
engaged in the bookselling business with Abner Evans, under 
the firm name of Evans & Custer. Both are now deceased and 
have been succeeded in the business by their sons. This was 
the first bookstore of the place. Mr. Custer also served as 
notary public for the Pottstown Bank. He was one of the 
public-spirited citizens of Pottstown and took a deep and 
helpful interest in all matters pertaining to the general 
welfare. Aaron Custer died in 1881, aged seventy-seven 
years. His wife survived him until 1892 and was eighty-four 
years of age at the time of her death. Both she and her 
husband were buried in Pottstown cemetery. Both of them were 
Lutherans in religious faith. He was secretary of the school 
board for a number of years and also secretary of the board 
of vestrymen of the Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration.

  Jonathan Custer (grandfather) lived in Berks county and 
died there in middle life, leaving a family of seven sons 
and three daughters. He was a farmer by occupation. Mr. 
Custer was of Swedish descent and belonged to the same 
family as General Custer, who perished in a fight with 
Indians in the west. The name was originally spelled Koster.

  The maternal grandfather, Kinzer, was a native of 
Lancaster county and was of German descent. He owned a large 
farm and was a man of considerable prominence, holding 
several public offices. He and his wife died advanced in 
years, leaving a large family.

  Horace A. Custer has lived in Pottstown all his life. he 
attended the public schools and the Hill school at 
Pottstown, took a position in the store with his father, and 
succeeded him in the business after his death. He has been 
at his present location No. 231 High street, for thirty-five 
years. He was one of the original members of the Goodwill 
Fire Company and its first secretary, and he served as one 
of the building committee for the erection of the fine new 
building of the Goodwill Company on Hanover and Queen 
streets.

  In 1863 he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-sixth 
Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment, and served during the 
Gettysburg campaign. He afterwards enlisted in Company F, 
One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Regiment, serving five 
months. He was discharged at the expiration of his term of 
service. Mr. Custer was in the ranks. After the war he 
returned to the book business in which he is still engaged.

  On September 24, 1874, he married Miss Elizabeth Shaffer 
of Reading, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Baum) Shaffer. They 
had one son, Clarence, who died at the age of twenty years. 
They reside at No. 350 Walnut street.

  Mr. Custer is a member of the Lutheran church, and his 
wife of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a member 
of the vestry. Mr. Custer is also a member of Stichter 
Lodge, No. 254, Free and Accepted Masons, of Pottstown 
Chapter, and of Nativity Commandery. He has been a Mason 
since 1867. Mr. Custer was one of the charter members of 
Graham Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of 
the Benevolent Order of Elks.

  Politically he is a Republican and was burgess of 
Pottstown one term, from March 4, 1900, to March 4, 1903. In 
view of the large Democratic majority in that borough, this 
is a strong proof of his popularity. He was also a member of 
the board of school directors for eleven years. His father 
also served as burgess of Pottstown many years ago and 
theirs is the only case on record where father and son have 
filled the same office.

This file has been created by a form at http://www.usgwarchives.net/pafiles/

File size: 4.9 Kb