Hi Grace Ebneter: 09 Jan 1999, Subject: Christian
Custer, you quoted from "The History of a Church"
by Roland L. Howe on page 33 of "Descendants of
Hermanus Custer" by Donald M. Custer, as follows:
> When Christian was elected to the ministry on 24
> Dec 1861 a vote was taken and Christian received
> 36 votes while Jonathan Eisenhower received 33
> votes with five votes to others. Because of
> misunderstandings from the election and the
> failure of the minority to go along with the
majority vote (note that this was Christmas Eve)
Christian withdrew from the ministry.
This quote implies that he left the ministry and this
was at odds with what I'd always heard. Having
neither book, I could only put the question aside.
I now have a copy of Roland L. Howe's book, an
extremely detailed history of The First Church of the
Brethren of Philadelphia, PA, (called The German
Baptist Brethren Church of Philadelphia until 1808.)
Christian Custer's ministry began with his election on
24 Dec, 1861. It continued until he voluntarily resigned
18 Nov 1865 after continuing problems with the faction
that supported Jonathan Eisenhower. He was restored
to the ministry by the Visiting Committee of Elders,
16 Nov 1867. The last mention of his ministry in this book
is April of 1875. He died in 1879. This 705-page book,
including several pages on "The Christian Custer
Controversy" over which he resigned. Christian
Custer's tenure as a minister spanned periods totaling
over 12 years. He also "ministered" in many other
capacities within this congregation during his 23 years
as a member. This book also contains a small picture
of Christian Custer, which I treasure!
Christian, his wife, and daughters are the only Custers
listed (in the back is a list of all recorded members ) but
there is an Elizabeth Castor received (baptized) 6 May
1838, died 15 Jun 1843 and Mrs. Jesse Y. Castor
(Ida J. Youtsey) received by certificate or letter on
14 May 1899 - died 8 May, 1939.
Anyone who like further details, including where to get
this book, let me know. Jan Custer Bryan