Castor, C. L.

CASTOR, LOOMIS, PHILLIPS, BARNUM, HURLEY, SCOTT

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Date: 2/25/2011 at 09:32:41

Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa. Published in Chicago, W.S. Dunbar, 1889

C. L. CASTOR, one of the early pioneers of Cherokee County, settled in Cedar Township, July 9, 1868. He was born in Jefferson County, New York, September 18, 1827, and is a son of Ira and Chloie (Loomis) Castor. He grew to man’s estate surrounded by the scenes and influences of his native county; he received his education in the common schools of that day. After leaving school he embarked in the lumber business, in which he was engaged for a number of years. Mr. Castor was united in marriage September 10, 1854, to Miss Phoebe Jane Phillips, a native of Canada, and a daughter of Abraham and Lydia (Barnum) Phillips. They resided in New York until 1865, when they removed to Dubuque County, Iowa, and settled at Dyersville, where they remained two years. At the expiration of that time they went to Boone County, Iowa, living there until 1868, when they settled in Cherokee County. Mr. Castor and Mr. Warren made the first wagon track in that portion of the county in which they afterward made their home. Mr. Castor built a log house 16 x 24 feet, which was the second house in the township. In 1886 this primitive domicile was replaced with a neat frame residence. Mr. Castor has added much to the value as well as the beauty of his farm by planting a grove of twelve acres. The place contains 160 acres, and has been brought to an advanced state of cultivation through the efforts and industry of the present owner.

Politically our subject is a Democratic-Greenbacker. He has served several terms as township trustee, and has never betrayed the confidence reposed in him. He is e member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, A. F. & A. M.

C. L. Castor is employed at present as overseer in a large fruit-crate and lumber manufactory at Kentwood, Louisiana, a plant which, when completed, will fill orders and ship lumber to all parts of the United States. He and his wife are the parents of one son, Adelbert, born January 28, 1859, in the State of New York. He was nine years old when they came to reside in Cherokee County, and there he grew to manhood, and received his education. He was married July 20, 1885, to Miss Ella Hurley, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Scott) Hurley. By this marriage one son has been born, Guy Edward.