KSGenWeb Digital Library Biographical Sketch of Elizur Spelmon Castle Doniphan County, Kansas

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The following transcription is from a 750 page book titled "Genealogical and Biographical Record of North-Eastern Kansas, dated 1900.  These have been diligently transcribed and generously contributed by Penny R. Harrell, please give her a very big Thank You for her hard work!

Elizur Spelmon Castle, deceased, was for many years one of the best known men of Doniphan county, Kansas.  He was born at Clinton Furnace, Greenup county, Kentucky, March 27, 1839, and in the fall of that year was taken by his parents to Andrew county, Missouri, where the family home was established and where they lived until he was sixteen years of age.

He then went to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was engaged in various occupations until the breaking out of the war.  With love of his country uppermost in his nature, young Castle asserted his patriotism by offering his services to the Union and fighting bravely for the protection of the national honor.  He recruited the Fifth Missouri Cavalry and was commissioned a first lieutenant.  This position he resigned and was transferred to the Eighty-eighth Missouri Cavalry, in which he was commissioned captain of a company.

In 1864 he was promoted as major of that regiment, in which rank he served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged, and returned home with a record in which his descendants have just reason to take pride.

After the war Mr. Castle engaged in farming in northern Missouri, for a few years, until 1869, when he moved to Vernon county, that state, and made it his home until 1874.  In 1875 he came to Doniphan county, Kansas, and located on a farm northwest of Troy.  On this farm he planted 55 acres to apple orchard, remodeled the residence and made other improvements, and here he passed the rest of his life and died, his death occurring March 9, 1898.

He was a pronounced Republican, as was his father before him, and was always interested in public affairs, casting his influence with whatever movement or measure he believed to be for the general welfare of his locality.  Three times he was elected and served as the county surveyor of Doniphan county.  The duties of the office took him into all parts of the county and brought him in contact with many of its people, and throughout the county he was as highly esteemed as he was well known.

Mr. Castle was married and had six children. Mrs. Castle, who survives him, was formerly Miss Breckenridge, of Andrew county, Missouri. She was born in St. Clair county, that state, April 13, 1841, a daughter of John and Eliza (Post) Breckenridge, who had moved from Kentucky to Missouri.

Her grandfather Post was a native of Vermont.  His paternal great-grandfather, George Castle was a soldier in the War of 1812.  The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Castle are as follows: Hattie E., a teacher in the public schools of Troy; Robert B., a member of the firm of Hagenbach & Castle, general merchants of Troy; Bessie J., a teacher in the Highland public schools; Frank B., engaged in business at Robinson, Kansas; and Eva E. and Mernie L.

Last update: Saturday, January 17, 2004 15:38:14

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