Casterton, Ogden 1830 - 1914
CASTERTON, KEW, HALSE, FAWCETT, RYAN, HUMPHREY, BRYANT, AIKEN
Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/18/2014 at 20:40:09
The name of Ogden Casterton is in various ways closely connected with the history and the development of Winneshiek County, where for forty years he successfully pursued agricultural occupations in Highland township, and he has also become connected in an influential way with banking, social and real-estate interests of this county. Living in well-earned retirement in Decorah, at the age of eighty-three years, he is highly esteemed and honored as one of the pioneers by whose labors the present prosperous conditions have been brought about. Born in England, April 22, 1830, Ogden Casterton is a son of Zachariah and Jane Casterton, both natives of that country. There the father followed agricultural pursuits during all his life and passed away, as also did the mother.
Ogden Casterton received his education in his native country, where he grew to young manhood, but in 1852 came to America, and locating in Illinois rented a farm in that state, which he operated for four years. In 1856 he removed to Winneshiek County, moving on eighty acres of land which he had previously bought and setting about to clear and improve his property. As results attended his labors he increased his holdings from time to time until he at last owned a magnificent farm of thirteen hundred acres, all of which land was located in Highland township. As the years passed he brought this vast tract to a high state of productivity and instituted such improvements and equipment as he considered necessary for profitable cultivation. Prosperity attended his labors and in 1896 he was enabled to retire from the arduous work of the farm and removing to Decorah there purchased a fine home, but later built according to his own plans a mansion in which he now resides and which is considered one of the finest residences in the city. He has since become closely connected with various business interests of the city, in which he has become an important figure. He at present serves as vice president of the Citizens Savings Bank, besides holding bank stock of various kinds outside of Winneshiek County. He is also a substantial stockholder in the Winneshiek Hotel Company and the Swenson Valve Company. Moreover, he has heavily invested in city real estate, owning several valuable business blocks in Decorah.
In 1852 Mr. Casterton was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kew, a daughter of William and Jane Kew, natives of England. The father occupied himself as a laborer in his native country, but on coming to America engaged in the operation of a farm in Illinois until his death. The family then removed to Rockwell, Iowa, where a few days later the death of the mother occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Casterton were the parents of ten children, namely: William 0., a farmer of Winneshiek county; Emma J., the wife of Samuel Halse, who farms near Florence, South Dakota; Ellen, who married Isaac Fawcett, residing at Maple, Minnesota; Mary A., the wife of Thomas Ryan, residing at La Crosse, Wisconsin; Carrie, the widow of J. F. Humphrey, residing in North Dakota; Claire, who married Gordon F. Humphrey and they reside in North Dakota; Bertha, the wife of Archibald H. Bryant, an agriculturist of Highland township, Winneshiek county; Grace, the wife of William Aiken, who resides in Ventura, California; Charles O., who has agricultural interests in Highland township, this county; and Nettie, the wife of Granville Fawcett, of Maple, Minnesota. Mrs. Casterton passed away May 23, 1910, at the age of nearly eighty-one years, having been born August 12, 1829.
However, Mr. Casterton's activities have not only been confined to business interests, for he has also served effectively for a number of years as justice of the peace, filling this position with such fairness and impartiality that high commendation has been accorded him. While living on his farm he also served in various minor capacities, always manifesting a helpful interest in carrying responsibilities of American citizenship. Politically he is a democrat and his religion is that of the Episcopal Church. A resident of Winneshiek county for nearly six decades, he has not only been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred, but has been a helpful and cooperant factor in the general advancement, and the honors which come to him on account of his attainments and on account of his long years of assiduous labor are well earned and well merited.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913
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