James M. Castner

James M. Castner, who is engaged in the hardware and implement business in Lovilia, has been a representative of mercantile interests in this place for a number of years, and is an enterprising man, who might well be termed a “captain of industry” because of his indefatigable labor and successful control of every work he has undertaken. Far back into the early history of Pennsylvania can his family history be traced. In 1766 his ancestor entered from the government the land upon which James M. Castner was born, and the old house is still in the possession of his descendants. Six generations of the Castners have been born upon that land, and the town of Donora, Pennsylvania, has been built upon a portion of it.

Daniel and Rebecca (Miller) Castner, the parents of our subject, were both natives of the Keystone state, and the former, a farmer by occupation, devoted his energies throughout his entire life to the tilling of the soil. His political support was given the Democracy and he was ever a citizen of worth, giving his co-operation to every measure which he believed would benefit his locality. He died in 1875, and his wife, surviving him twenty-one years, passed away in 1896. In their family were twelve children: Martin Van Buren, Marie E., James M., John K., Silas W., Jessie M., Bert W., Mary J., Wilbert F. and William L., and two that died in infancy.

Upon the ancestral homestead in Washington county, Pennsylvania, James M. Castner was born, February 11, 1843, and was there reared, while in the common schools of the neighborhood he received his education. Lessons of industry and integrity were early impressed upon his mind by his parents, and through the periods of vacation he gained practical knowledge of farm work by assisting his father in the fields. At the age of twenty-four he left his boyhood home and in 1868 became a resident of Bluff Creek township, Monroe county, where he followed farming for about six years. In 1874 he took up his abode in Lovilia, where he has since resided.

In 1875 he established a lumber and grain business, which he conducted with success until 1894, when he sold out to the Green Bay Lumber Company, and he is now conducting a hardware and implement business. He is well known as a factor in the business life of Lovilia and after embarking in his new enterprise it was not long before he had secured a liberal patronage, which is constantly growing, so that the business has already assumed profitable proportions and the future of the enterprise seems a bright one.

In 1866 Mr. Castner was united in marriage to Miss Helen Pollock, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born three children, two sons and a daughter, but Bert P., the eldest, is the only one now living, Mary Josephine and John Kerr having passed away. The wife and mother died in 1874 and in 1876 Mr. Castner was again married, his second union being with Miss Rose Clark, a daughter of P. R. Clark. Five children have graced this union: Guy Kerr, Katheryn, Anna, Louis and James Miller.

A staunch Republican, Mr. Castner exercises his right of franchise in support of its men and measures, and has labored effectively for its success in this community. He has been honored with some local offices, having served as school director, as justice of the peace and as a member of the board of supervisors and his official labors resulted beneficially along the lines directed. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his fraternal relations he is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the United Workmen, holding membership in the local lodges in Albia. Starting out in life for himself without capital, and realizing that there is no royal road to wealth, Mr. Castner has labored diligently and unremittingly in an effort to attain prosperity, and today is accounted one of the substantial citizens of his adopted town, while his social qualities are those which win friends, and wherever known

Mr. Castner is spoken of in terms of high regard.~~~~~~~