Bio: Castner, John (History - 1835)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: CASTNER SABENS MACK BENEDICT DUTCHER BOYER NUTTING BRADFIELD KENNEDY

----Source: Biographical History of Clark and Jackson Counties, Wisconsin," page 154-155.

JOHN CASTNER came to Clark County, Wisconsin, in 1855, and found it a wild and thinly settled country. He has witnessed its development and growth from its original state to one of high cultivation, and has seen it attain rank among the first counties of the land. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, July 27, 1835, and is a son of John and Maria (Sabens) Castner, natives of New Jersey and Massachusettes respectively. The parents were married in Cayuga County, New York, and in 1835 emigrated to Seneca County, Ohio, where the father died later the mother moved to Steuben County, Indiana, where she ended her days on earth. John Castner, Sr., was a farmer by occupation. Sixteen children were born to him and his wife, thirteen of whom lived to maturity Jacob, William, Mary, Elizabeth, Phoebe P., Jane, John, the subject of this sketch, Margaret, George, Nancy, Eliza, Caroline and Stewart.

John Castner, Jr., was reared in Seneca County, Ohio, and lived on a farm until he was twenty years of age he spent his time in the occupations incident to farm life, and attended the common schools of that day. In 1855 he bade adieu to the parental roof and the scenes of his childhood and youth, and started to the West. He came to Clark County, Wisconsin, and rented a farm on Black River, and at the same time entered a farm on section 19, Loyal Township in 1862 he disposed of this place, and removed to Monroe County, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1869 he then returned to Clark County, and purchased 160 acres of land, which he now makes his home he has 120 acres still in his name, having disposed of forty acres, and sixty-four acres are cleared. Starting out in life for himself without capital, Mr. Castner is certainly deserving of much commendation for the success with which he has met. He has held his share of the township offices, and although not a member of any church organization, he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church regularly and contributes generously to its support. Politically he adheres to the principles of the Republican party.

September 17, 1859, is a memorable day in the life of Mr. Castner, as it was then he was joined in marriage to Miss Lydia Mack, of Clark County, Wisconsin.  She was born in the Dominion of Canada, February 1, 1844, and is a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Benedict) Mack, also natives of Canada. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Castner: Mary, the wife of Ernest Boyer; George, who married Lillian Nutting; Sophronia, wife of Dr. J. L. Bradfield, of Chicago, Illinois, and Albins, wife of William Dutcher; Albert, Alfred, Daniel, Frank, and an infant unnamed are the other members of the family. Mr. Castner has been a member of the Methodist Church in full connection since 1869.

1900 Federal Census, ED 25 Loyal township Loyal village, Clark, Wisconsin, United States, family 110, pg. 6

John Castner, white, married male
father's birthplace: New York
mother's birthplace: Massachusetts
years married: 40
estimated marriage year: 1860

Household Members
head Johnert Castner M 32 (Jun 1868 Wisconsin), Father b. Canada, Mother b. Ohio
wife Maud Castner F 22 (Oct 1878 Wisconsin), mother of 1 child, parents b. Vermont
daughter Jesse Castner F 3 (Aug 1897 Wisconsin)
father John Castner M 65 (Jul 1835 Ohio)
mother Lydia Castner F 56 (Feb 1844 Canada)
brother Alfred Castner M 32 (Jun 1868 Wisconsin), father b. Ohio, mother b. Canada
niece Cora Castner F 13 (Dec 1887 Wisconsin)
nephew Johinne Castner M 9 )Feb 1891 Wisconsin), parents b. Wisconsin
niece Frowa Castner F 6 (Nov 1894 N N S)
cousin Chas Kennedy M 26 (Feb 1874 Wisconsin), father b. Indiana, mother b. Canada