George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876) Custer was born on December 5, 1839 in New Rumley, Ohio, to Emanuel Henry Custer, a farmer and blacksmith, and Marie Ward Kirkpatrick. His brothers Thomas Custer and Boston Custer died with him at the Battle of the Little Big Horn, as did his brother-in-law and nephew. His other two full siblings were Nevin and Margaret Custer, and he had several other half siblings.