Biographical & Genealogical History of Appanoose & Monroe Counties, Iowa

New York, Lewis Publishing Co. 1903

Bertrand P. Castner page 183

Considering his age, which is slightly past thirty-two years at this writing, the young man above mentioned has had an unusually active and varied career, culminating in success which seldom comes even to the most fortunate so early in life. At present he is serving his second term as auditor of Monroe county, and had been elected to that responsible position before the completion of the twenty-fifth year of his age. Aside form this, however, he has been connected with various branches of business, including lumber, realty and loans, hardware and banking, which would indicate enterprise and energy as well as ability in different lines. The family was of Pennsylvania origin, from which state his father, James M., came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Appanoose county.

Bertrand P. Castner was born in Bluff Creek township, Monroe county, November 24, 1870, and , his mother having died three years later, the child was sent to the home of the paternal grandmother in Pennsylvania. When eight years old he returned to his father’s home at that time in Lovilia, where he was engaged in the lumber business, and received his education as he grew up at that place. When his seventeenth year had been completed he entered the lumber yard as an employee, later became a partner and remained with the firm until the fall of 1895, when he was elected auditor of Monroe county. He entered upon his duties on the first of the following January, served satisfactorily four years, and was elected for a second term, which will expire January 1, 1903.

For five years Mr. Castner was connected with the Ramsay Realty, Loans and Abstract Company, and joined his brother in the purchase of a hardware business. Disposing of his interest in the Ramsay Realty Company he became cashier of the People’s Savings Bank, after the opening of that institution in the fall of 1901, and also erected the building in which this bank conducts its business.

In 1895 Mr. Castner was united in marriage with Miss Grace Esshom of Lovilia, and since his election to the auditorship has made his home in Albia. He is regarded as one of the most popular of the young class of Republican leaders in Monroe county, and no one of his age has a brighter promise of future honors. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church, and his fraternal connections with the Masons.

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