Yuma County, Colorado
Photographs

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Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

George W. and Lenora (Smith) Custer,    Yuma

Manuscript donated by Ann Custer Curtis (Mrs. Erman Leonard Curtis), Salt Lake City, Utah.
George Washington Custer, son of Thomas H. Custer (1822-1863) and Sarah Jane Hunter, and the grandson of John Custer and Nancy Hedge, was born 5 June 1847 in Hocking County, Ohio. He served with the Fifth Illinois Cavalry during the Civil War. He moved to Arizona in 1885. He married Leonora T. Smith, daughter of Leonard Smith and Abbie Coe, 3 January 1891. Relatives lived mainly in Ohio, Illinois and Arizona.

PROBABLY CONFUSED YUMA COLORADO WITH YUMA ARIZONA


In 1870 Trumbull County, Ohio, Leonora Smith is 17, a milliner, living with the Francis and Almah Lindsley household.



In 1870 Effingham County, Illinois, Sarah J. Custer is 44, David S. 18, Isaac S. 14, and William T.D. 10.

In 1880 Effingham County, Illinois, Sarah J. Custer is 54, with George W. 33 and William T.D. 20.

George W. Custer married Leonora T. Smith January 3, 1892, recorded in Denver (at that time the county seat for the Mildred area)

In 1898 George was a witness for the claim of John M. Kier - with Andrew J. Wakefield, Thomas P. Nevin and William T. Kier, all of Vernon.

Leonora proved up a quarter in 3, 3S 45W in 1898.

In 1900 Glendale precinct, Arapahoe County (now Yuma) George is 52, Leonora F. 49, and Sarah J. 74 is living with them.

George proved up 160 acres in 2, 3S 45W in 1901, and timber-claimed a quarter in 3 in 1908


1902 "Mr. Custer of Vernonvisited two days this week at the home of his brother, Georeg W. Custer."

  In 1902 George Custer was Yuma marshal.  Other newspaper articles later mentioned that he recorded rainfall, had a barber shop, sold coal, and was granted a special veteran pension by Congress.  He participated in most veteran gatherings.


July 1902 "George Custer has finished painting the water tank and gengine house."

1903 "George Custer has bought the Butcher Business of Burr Gardner. They had a long siege of it when it came to invoicing; because of so much one hand - one soup bone and a few chicken tracks."

1905
1906 "G.W. Custer has opened a shoe shop in the Pioneer office, where he can be found at all times ready to do your repairing in a first class manner."

October 5, 1906 "George Custer and mother received word by wire Sunday of the death of Mrs. Isaac Custer of Wray. They left on the first train, returning Tuesday."

In 1910 Yuma George (own income) is 2, Leonora T. 59 -a carpet weaver- , both born in Ohio.  Nephew Leslie T. 4 is with them.


October 1911 "Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Custer returned Sunday from their summer's outing in the mountains. George says it sure is the place to live in hot weather."
June 1916 "Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Custer left for Tolland, in the mountains, Monday, to spend the summer."

March 1918 "Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Custer, of Vernon, were visiting at the home of George Custer Saturday and Sunday. The two gentlemen are brothers."

1919 "Lester Custer is spending the summer vacation at the farm of his stepmother, Mrs. Isac Custer near Vernon."

George, Lenora and Lester are in Yuma in 1920, none with occupations.


August 1920 "Mr. and Mrs. George W. Custer left Tuesday, bound for NOrborne, Missouri, at which place they will remain for an indefinite period of timer."

George Washington Custer -1847-1922 is buried in Yuma, as is Elnora Theressa (Smith) Custer 1850-1931.






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