CUSTER, Benjamin
Source: Bancroft Nebraska Blade Thu 24 April 1919 p 1
Benjamin Custer was born in Fountain County, Indiana June 23, 1837. Died at his home near Herman, Nebraska April 11, 1919 aged 81 years 9 months and 19 days. He was one of a family of 12 children. His parents moved to Shelby County, Iowa in 1852. There he grew to manhood and married. In 1885, with his family, he moved to a farm near Pender, Nebraska, where they resided until they moved to their present location about two years ago.. He was a member of the Baptist Church for more than 5 years. His wife died in 1910. He was the father of four children: George, Elizabeth, Harry and Nellie. The two sons and Nellie survive him. He leaves one sister, Mrs. Caroline Shaffer, who attended him in his last illness and three brothers, Henry and Benton of Harlon, Iowa and Abraham of South Dakota. He was a educated man, an extensive reader of books and current issues of the day. He was an outspoken man of strong convictions and an ardent supporter of all temperance and all civic reforms. He was a member of a family that participate din all the wars of his country. Fifteen members were in the recent war with Germany and two of them were wounded. His ancestors were of colonial stock and he was a pioneer in the development of Iowa and Nebraska. He broke prairie near Florence, Nebraska when that town aspired to be the capiutal of the state and when Omaha consisted of a steamboat landing and a few straggling houses. Never a robust man, his last days were spent as an invalid but very happy in the companionship of his son and daughter, who made him their pal and made their own interests and aspirations subordinate to his welfare. In his last illness he was a great sufferer but his suffering only endeared him the more to those who ministered to him. If absence from the sacred intimacy of that home will leave a void that time cannot fill. His life was an open book that any man might read. But he is gone. After life’s fitful fever may he sleep well. The funeral services were held in the Baptist Church at Herman, Nebraska, the pastor, Rev. Bollinger officiating. The latter also had charge of the services at the Pender cemetery where the deceased was laid at rest beside his wife who went to her reward before. Among those who attended the funeral were his children: Harry, Nellie and George Custer and the latter’s wife and his brothers: Abraham, Henry and Benton Custer and sister, Mrs. Caroline Shaffer. The deceased was highly esteemed in this community where he lived many years and the family have the sympathy of all in their bereavement – Pender Times.