ALBERT CASTNER, a prosperous farmer of Loyal Township, who has taken a prominent part in local affairs, was born in Monroe County, Wis., June 26, 1868. A memoir of his father, John Castner, may be found elsewhere in this work. He was 2 years old when he accompanied his parents to Clark County in a wagon drawn by ox team. The first night they camped on the boundary line of the township, sleeping under a pine tree. His only schooling was obtained during the winter months in the log schoolhouse, located in the southeast corner of section 21, Loyal Township. This primitive temple of learning had a rough board floor, with long benches for seats, but reading, writing and arithmetic were taught and of these he imbibed a fair knowledge.

His initiation into the mysteries of agriculture was more thorough, as he began to acquire that kind of knowledge on his father's farm when a mere boy and was not allowed to forget it for want of practice. When he was 21 years old he began working in the woods, in which occupation he was engaged for ten winters, at times having charge of the logging crew. His first work of this kind was for John A. Davis, who lived east of Phillip, and among his other employers was his own brother George, Archie Silverwright of Rhinelander,, and Clark, Staple & Leonard, also of Rhinelander. Having saved $1,000 as the result of his logging operations, he purchased the land that now forms his present farm a tract of eighty acres-in section 20, Loyal Township, of which forty acres had been cleared. There was also an old log barn on the place. Here he has since built a good residence and made other valuable improvements. He raises full-blooded Durham cattle, Chester-White hogs and a good grade of horses and has taken rank among the successful farmers of his township.

He is interested in the Equity warehouse, is a stockholder in the feed mill, constructed by the Equity Association, being also its secretary and treasurer, and is a stockholder in the Wausau Packing Plant of Wausau, Wis.

Mr. Castner was married Dec. 30, 1896, to Maud Davis, who was born in York Township, Clark County, Oct. 10, 1878, on the homestead of her parents, who were Joseph Bushrod and Emily (Huntly) Davis. They were natives of Vermont and when children removed to St. Lawrence County, New York, where they grew up and were married. Coming to Clark County, Wis., they settled in York Township, when it was a wilderness. All their children were born in that township, namely: Ernest, Ahna, Maud, Martha and Earl. Their early home was a log house and their surroundings were those of pioneers; the familiar ox team was seen on the farm; Mr. Davis had to carry provisions home on his back for miles, and the Indians were frequent visitors and often stayed all night at the cabin.

Mr. Davis was a carpenter by trade. After clearing his tract of eighty acres he sold it and bought forty more nearby. This he also sold at a later date and moved to Loyal, where he now lives at the age of 76 years. His wife, aged 70, is also living. The dates of their nativity were respectively, Feb. 6, 1840, and July 12, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Castner have eight children: Jessie, Russell, Forrest, Harry, James, Hazel, Nina and J. Lafayette. Jessie is the wife of Irvin Mingal and resides in Montana. She has one child, Ethel Maud. Mr. and Mrs. Castner are members of the Methodist Church at Loyal.

John Castner's Boys

Dan, Albert, Alfred and George

(Albert & Alfred are twins)