Castle Family

CASTLE GIRDLEY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/12/2010 at 18:34:49

Woodbury County History 1984

Castle Family History
By Ned Castle

In 1866, C C Castle came to this country and, through a long period, carried on the work of cultivating and improving his farm. He was a native of New York, his brith having occurred in Tioga County, July 20, 1823. His father, Samuel Castle, was born in the same state and after arriving at years of maturity, was married there to Lucetta Girdley, a native of Connecticut, born near New Haven. The father carried on farming in Tioga County. Our subject’s grandfather, Daniel Castle, was born in London, England, in 1758 and came to America about 1775. He made his home in Tioga County, New York, until 1836, when he sold his property there and moved Erie County, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred in 1845. C C Castle obtained a common school education. He moved from New York to Erie County, Pennsylvania, and was married in that county on the 19th of November, 1845, to Miss Nancy M Everts.

In 1863, they came to Iowa, establishing their home in Buchanan County, where Mr Castle carried on farming for three years and here then came to Woodbury County, arriving here in 1866. He settled in Union Township, homesteading one hundred and sixty acres of raw land, on which no improvements had been made. They first lived in a blockhouse, which had been previously served as a fort from which the settlers had fought the Indians. He purchased the building at Correctionville and moved it to his place, occupying it as a residence for several years. Later, he erected good modern farm buildings, made many substantial improvements and successfully carried on the work of cultivating his crops until 1883, when he purchased a home in Correctionville and moved to town.

Unto Mr and Mrs Castle had been born eight children: H A, who was married and was a blacksmith in Barton County, Missouri; George L, of Correctionville; Eva G, the wife of J M Warren, a painter and paper hanger of Cherokee County, Kansas; Ida, the wife of G S Wetmore, of Rock Branch, Woodbury County; Flora, the wife of F W Miller, of Union Township; and Walter, who owned and operated the old home place. They also lost two children Horace, who died in infancy; and Nettie, who died at the age of two years. Horace was buried at the farm a few feet away from the house. Nancy planted a lilac bush for a marker, which has been long gone.

With no fences, Nancy, some days had to go as far east as the Little Sioux River to bring the cow’s home. One day, having trouble to herd them, she broke off a branch from an American Elm to help drive them. When she got back home, she such the twig near the baby’s grave and it started to grow. When it reached maturity, it measured 18 feet around. The summer of 1970, a small twister came through and tore the top off. It was like a large circus tent shading the house in the hot summer days. It was greatly missed for the shade and decorativeness.

C C Castle passed away May 11, 1919, age 96. Nancy died January 5, 1920, age 95. W W Castle, born August 11, 1862, married Miss Ida Sheffield, born January 29, 1856. He continued improving the land and built a one-story, two-bedroom house, using the old house for a horse barn, also building a new cattle and hog barn. To this union one son, Earl, was born, October 26, 1883.

Earl continued farming with his father after his marriage on June 7, 1905, to Miss Florence H Gray, born October 13, 1884. Four children blessed this marriage: Helen M, born Septembr 30, 1906; Ned G, born October 21, 1907; Shirley M, born August 30, 1909; and Margorie Mae, born July 21, 1921.

In 1906, Walter and Ida purchased a home in Correctionville, now occupied by Mr and Mrs Albert Brune. Ida passed away in 1920, May 5th age 64. Walter moved back to the farm and lived with Earl and family, until remarrying on December 15, 1925, to Mrs Alyce A Eingle. He then purchased a house in the south part of town, now occupied by Mrs Morey Brown. Alyce passed away January 19, 1944, and Walter continuted to live alone until 1952. Then Earl, Florence and daughter, Helen, lived with him until his death on August 27, 1955, at age 93. Earl sold the house in the fall and moved back to the farm until ill health forced him to leave and move back to town in 1948 to the George Barker house, which they purchased. Daughter, Margorie Root and her family had an apartment in the second story. Earl passed away, March 20, 1963, age 80.

Margorie continued to live with her mother, Florence, until her death, June 16, 1983, age 98. Margorie moved to California in September to be with her children. Helen Greiner resides in Correctionville. Shirley Hanson lost her husband, December 18, 1982, and is living in Wahoo, Nebraska, where her daughter and son-in-law, Mr and Mrs Dwayne Rhoman live. Ned bought the homestead in 1961 and is now living in Correctionville.

Ned married Miss Dorothy Wilton, born October 11, 1913. Their daughter, Sandra Lee, born November 1, 1936, married Cletus Pick on November 2, 1956. Unto this union two daughters were born: Barbara on December 25, 1957; and Mary Ellen on October 24, 1961.

Son, Thomas Ned Castle, was born November 12, 1945 and married Diana Sales of Battle Creek. Their four children are: Adam, born January 20, 1969; Jeana, born October 21, 1970; Matthew, born March 28, 1976; and Sara Ann, born June 27, 1982.

Thomas Castle is now the fifth generation farming the homestead land.