Dr. J.S. Caster

CASTER

Posted By: Judy Kelley, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/5/2010 at 18:28:37

Source: LCHS scrapbook newspaper clipping with handwritten date of July 10, 1914

Dr. J.S. Caster, a widely known and greatly honored citizen of Burlington, passed away at his home on North Fourth street at one o'clock this morning. He had been ill but a few weeks, and few of his friends even knew that his sickness was anything fatal. He had been of so rugged a nature that those who knew him best little thought that disease would lay him low.

Some three weeks ago Dr. Caster began to show signs of breaking health, and he was persuaded to give up his practice for the summer. He consented to this with reluctance and his many patients were notified that for the first time since he began the healing art, he would not receive them at his customary hours until next August.

Meanwhile, his condition became alarming, and a consultation of physicians was called who held out little hope to the members of his family and his friends. There was hope that in spite of this the doctor would get better, and for a time this seemed likely to be true. But the disease, which was a complication of the kidneys, slowly made its power felt, and by yesterday little hope of the doctor's recovery was entertained by anyone.

The death of Dr. Caster will be keenly felt by thousands of people in Burlington, who have come to honor and respect him, for his sterling qualities of honesty and his keeness of judgment in all matters of private and public life. As mayor of Burlington, during 1904 and 1905, he introduced many reforms, and was accorded the distinction of being one of the best chief executives Burlington ever had. As member of the council previous to this he was a power for good in every class of legislation. As a citizen, Burlington has never possessed one that had done more for his place of residence in the matter of high ideas and broad, constructive policies. - Friday's Hawk-Eye