Johnstown, Pennsylvania Tribune (?)
Ephraim Custer
NEW PARIS - Dec. 5 [1936] - Ephraim Custer, aged 79, was found dead in
bed yesterday at his home here. He had been in ill health for some time,
suffering from a heart attack.
Mr. Custer was a son of Daniel and Susan (Spangler) Custer, and was born
November 18, 1857. His wife, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Stump) Custer, passed away
several years ago.
Surviving are these children: Mrs. Sarah Wolford of New Paris, Mrs. Effie
Stull of New Paris R. D., Mrs. Cora Otto of Vandergrift and William and
Henry Custer, both of New Paris. He was a brother of Jeremiah Custer, who is
seriously ill at his home here, and Mrs. Catherine Wecheiser of Central
City.
Funeral services will be conducted tomorrow afternoon, the cortege to
leave the home at 3 oclock for the New Paris Methodist Church. The Rev.
Snyder will officiate and will be assisted by Rev. Thomas Mickel, pastor of
the Church of the Brethren. Interment will be in the Schellsburg Cemetery,
under the direction of Vernon, Geisel & Shank, mortician.
Got this obit the other day, from LDS microfilm of the collection of Paul
Shaffer of Windber (more on that later).
The thing is, I don't know who he is yet.
Guess #1
son of Abraham3 (John2, John1) 1796-1881 who married Angie Berket b abt 1799
History of Bedford and Somerset county, page 507
"Abraham Custer, son of John Custer, Jr., was born in 1796 in Somerset
county and moved to Bedford county, where he devoted his attention to
agriculture. He was a member of the Lutheran church...Mr. Custer died in
1881, having spent his last years in the home of his son, William. "
the son William was in Richland Twp, Cambria Co, with his father Abraham in
the house, in the 1880 census
I have a son Daniel listed, but no dates. He would be about the right age
for a son born in 1857.
Guess #2, father Daniel is someone I don't have yet.
All the other surnames, Spangler, Stump, Wolford, Stull & Otto, are ones
I've run across before, almost always in Paint, Shade, or Stonycreek Twp in
Somerset Co. (I have five other Spangler women marrying Custer men, all of
them in Shade or Stonycreek). Shellsburg, Bedford Co, is today on US Route
30, about 12 miles due east (and down the mountain) from Buckstown, the
first town heading into Somerset Co on Rte 30, and Buckstown is right in
this Spangler family area.
Anybody have this family listed, or any corroborating evidence which may tie
Ephraim to my guess #1?
Thanks
Brian Cartwright