[184-368] HARMAN CUSTER, b Feb. 4, 1850; s Abraham and Mary (Shrawder) Custer [184— 141a]; m Nov. 14, 1868, MARY ELIZABETH SHAFFER, b Aug. 14, 1850; dau George and Ellen (Pyle) Shaffer.
Children (9):
‘‘Harman Custer was born in Norriton Twp., Montg. Co., Pa., and at the age of three years moved with his father to Hast Coventry Twp., Chester Co., Pa. At the age of eight, he left home and became a driver on the Schuylkill Canal, going as far as New York City, Hartford (Conn.), and other points. He spent seven years on the Canal, ending as a steersman. In 1868 it is said young Custer went to Alexandria with a load of coal for the use of the government, and on the Chesapeake Bay encountered a severe storm that would have tried the nerve of the most experienced men in the business.
“In 1864 he went to Pottstown and became an apprentice to the carpenter’s trade. In 1867 he entered the employ of the P. & R. Rwy. as laborer, and has been in their employ ever since, serving as brakeman, fireman, and conductor, and engineer. In all these years he is said never to have had a wreck and never to have run into the rear of a train. Since 1880 he has been living in Bridgeport, Pa.” [Biog. Annals of Montg. Co., Vol. II, pp 870-1.]
Children’s own families: