CASTILE, Andrew - 1890 Bio (1823-1896)

CASTILE, ANDERSON, BERG, CARLSON, PETERSON, LARSON, WALL

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/30/2007 at 20:22:24

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 466 and 469

Andrew CASTILE.

The history of Jefferson County would be incomplete without the sketch of this gentleman, who, as one of the Swedish colonists, settled in the community at an early day and has been identified with all enterprises calculated for its upbuilding and improvement. He was born in Sweden on the 3rd of March, 1823, and at the very early age of nine years began life for himself. His father had died six years previous and as the family was in limited circumstances he was thrown upon his own resources at an age when most boys were just beginning their education. His scholastic training was necessarily very limited for his time had to be spent in providing for his own maintenance. As before stated he began to make his own way in the world when a lad of nine years, going about the country making shoes as was the custom in that day. There were eight children in his father's family -- Isaac and Peter who remained in Sweden; Mary and Louisa, who like their elder brothers spent their lives in their native land; Charlie and Lena who died in Sweden; Andrew, the subject of this sketch, and John, a resident of Salina, Iowa. The mother of the family died about the year 1860.

Andrew CASTILE followed his trade of shoemaking for some eighteen years, continuing to work in that line for three years after his arrival in this country, his shop being located in Fairfield. The year 1848 witnessed his emigration to America and Rock Island, Ill., was the place of his first settlement, but on the 4th of July, 1849, he arrived in Fairfield, where he continued the shoemaking business until 1852. Coming to Lockridge Township at that time, he purchased eighty acres of land which has since continued to be his home, covering a period of more than a third of a century. At that time not a building had been erected between his home and Fairfield, which gives some idea of the unsettled condition of the county at that time. Much of the land was still unclaimed, many of the towns and villages had not yet sprung into existence and the work of civilization had scarcely begun. Mr. CASTILE erected the first frame house in the neighborhood and has greatly increased the value of his property by the addition of many excellent improvements. The homestead farm comprises three hundred and twenty acres which is operated by his sons, he having laid aside the more active duties of his life.

By the side of Mr. CASTILE along life's journey has walked one who has shared in his hardships and trials, has encouraged and sustained him in adversity and delighted in his successes and prosperity. The maiden name of this lady was Sarah Elizabeth ANDERSON, and she became his wife on September 30, 1849. She came to this country with the Swedish colony, headed by Peter Cassel (in regard to which see the sketch of A. F. Cassel on another page of this volume.) Her birth occurred on the 8th of July, 1824, and she was reared upon the parental farm. Twelve children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. CASTILE, eight of whom are yet living -- Andrew A., born October 1, 1850, married Emma ANDERSON of Henry County, and is living in York, Neb.; Mary Helena, born March 4, 1852, is the wife of August BERG, a merchant of Colorado; John E., born December 3, 1853, wedded Tillie CARLSON, and is engaged in mercantile business at Omaha, Neb.; Isaac L., born April 13, 1855, married Sarah PETERSON and is operating a part of the homestead farm; Sarah E., born January 8, 1857, is the wife of Oscar LARSON, who lives on a part of the CASTILE farm; Martin W., Matilda Rosina and Martin Luther all died in early childhood; Robert Lincoln, born January 2, 1864, was married in Burlington, to Emma WALL, and is now clerking in Kearney, Neb.; Delia Matilda, born December 8, 1865, and Gust A., born July 3, 1868, are at home; Frank W. died at the age of two years. The children all received god common-school educational advantages and Robert L. was a student in Parsons College for two years. The parents and children are all faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the father holds the office of Deacon. He takes great interest in both church and Sunday-school work, has aided not a little in the upbuilding of the society to which he belongs and has given liberally to the support of the cause. In his early life, Mr. CASTILE was a Whig, but has identified himself with the Republican party since its organization and with one exception his sons are all stalwart Republicans, doing their best work for the party. Mr. CASTILE is an honored pioneer of Jefferson County, having not only witnessed but been an active participant in its many changes. He is now living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of a well spent life.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.