Castner, Charles

CASTNER, BLAIR, WALSWORTH, ABBY, KEITH

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/18/2010 at 14:41:26

History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Vol. II, 1912, p. 153.

CHARLES CASTNER.

Charles Castner cultivates eighty-six acres of fertile and highly improved land adjacent to Blairsburg, where he successfully engages in agricultural pursuits. He was born in Blairsburg, then known as Rose Grove township, on the 29th of March, 1872, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Blair) Castner. The father was born in New Jersey on the 25th of November, 1842, and there passed the first five years of his life. The family removed to Ilinois in 1847, and six years later continued their journey westward to Iowa. George Castner, who has been continuously a resident of Hamilton County since 1860, was one of the early stage drivers of Iowa. He drove the stage from Nevada in 1865, and later from Iowa Falls to Fort Dodge, but after the railroads were completed in this section of the state, he gave up this occupation and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and now owns one of the best improved and most valuable farms in Hamilton County. The mother was a native of Ohio, having been born in Delhi, that state, on March 15, 1842. She came to Iowa with her parents in 1856, and thereafter made this state her home, her death occurring in Blairsburg in January, 1910. To Mr. and Mrs. Castner were born three sons, of whom our subject is the eldest. The second son, Roy, was born on the 25th of April, 1875, and is now residing in New Mexico; and Daniel, whose natal day was March 8, 1878, is living in Blairsburg.

The entire life of Charles Castner has been passed in the vicinity in which he now resides. His early years were not distinguished by any unusual occurrence from those of other lads who were reared in the rural sections of Iowa at that period. In the acquirement of his education he attended the common schools, and while still pursuing his studies began assisting his father with the lighter work of the farm, his duties being increased with the passing years until he was thoroughly familiar with the work and responsibilities of the agriculturist. By the time he had attained his maturity he was well qualified to engage in farming on his own account and has always devoted his energies to this line of activity. He is enterprising and progressive
in his methods as is evidenced by the general appearance of the farm, which is well improved and equipped. The fields are substantially fenced and under high cultivation, and he raises a good grade of stock. He gives his personal supervision to everything about the place, directing his undertakings with intelligence and foresight, and is meeting with a corresponding degree of success.

Mr. Castner was married in 1896, to Miss Grace Walsworth, who was born in Manchester, Delaware County, Iowa, on April 25, 1872. She is a daughter of John C. and Sybil (Abbey) Walsworth. the former a native of Adams, Jefferson County, New York, his birth there occurring on December 26, 1830; and the latter of Middlebury, Vermont, her natal day having been April 5, 1830. They removed to Hamilton County in 1886, locating on a farm in Blairsburg township, which the father cultivated during the remainder of his active life. He passed away on the 29th of January, 1900, on the old homestead, and there the mother's death occurred the year following. They were the parents of two daughters, the elder being Mrs. Elizabeth Keith, also a resident of Blairsburg, who was born on January 25, 1858.

To Mr. and Mrs. Castner there have been born two children: George Frank, who was born on the 29th of June, 1898; and Marie Helen, whose birth occurred March 2, 1900. They are both attending the public schools of Blairsburg.

The family attend the Congregational church, in which the parents hold membership, and fraternally Mr. Castner belongs to Blairsburg Camp, No. 7848, M. W. A. He votes the republican ticket and takes an active interest in local politics. He was for a time constable of Blairsburg township, and was a member of the council when the town was first organized and is now serving on the board of education. Having passed his entire life in the county, Mr. Castner enjoys a wide acquaintance among its citizens, by whom he is accorded the respect and esteem he well merits by reason of his high principles, integrity and honorable methods of conducting his business transactions.