1839 —— 1876
Killed in Battle of Little Big Horn River, Montana, in Sioux Indian War.
Was Brig. Gen. Commander of 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, Michigan Cavalry Regiments and Pennington's Battery at the Battle of Hanover June 30, 1863.
In the 1850's, J.W. Gitt planted a silver maple near his residence on the spot indicated by the star and circle in the pavement below. Before and after the Battle of Hanover, June 30, 1863, Gen. Custer tied his horse to this tree. After the war, it became known locally as "The Custer Maple," and stood as a living memorial of the historic engagement which occurred here.
Later in the 19th century, borough authorities sought to remove the maple as a public nuisance. In the only court case in which he ever appeared as litigant, a case ultimately decided by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Mr. Gitt succeeded in preventing the destruction of this tree.
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