My Genealogy Hound

BYRON H. CASTERLINE. The farming class of America, and especially of the northern tier of States, is notable for the degree of intelligence that is possessed by its representatives. Our subject belongs to one of the most progressive of families, and is proud of the fact that his father was one of those fast-disappearing landmarks of a heroic past, an early pioneer.

Mr. Casterline was born on the farm where he now lives, in Penn Township, Cass County, October 18, 1847. His parents, Dr. Thomas J. and Rachel M. (Hurlburt) Casterline, were natives of the Empire State, the father born in Romulus, Seneca County, January 3, 1813. Our subject’s paternal grandparents, Barreabas and Rhoda Casterline, were natives of Orange County, N. Y., whence they removed in the early part of the nineteenth century to Seneca County, that State. Dr. Thomas J. Casterline was a very successful physician and was engaged in the duties of his profession until late in life, when he gave his attention to farming. His death occurred on the 15th of June, 1889. His wife was a native of Canaan, Conn., born January 4, 1818, and both were exemplary members of the Disciples Church. She died in Cass County about 1890. They came to Cass County, Mich., in 1844, and settled on the farm where our subject now resides. The father was of German descent.

The third in order of birth of the four children born to the above worthy couple, Byron Casterline, was reared and educated in his native county, receiving a fair education in the common schools. He was married in 1886 to Miss Anna McKay, who was born in Cass County, Mich., about 1870, and is a daughter of David McKay, a resident of Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Casterline’s union has been blessed by the birth of three children, all bright and interesting: Beatta, Lyle and Thomas J.

In his political views Mr. Casterline has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and his first Presidential vote was cast for H. Seymour. He is a public-spirited citizen, active and progressive, and no worthy movement is allowed to fail for want of support on his part. He has witnessed the growth of this township through all its stages from a wild and trackless wilderness to its present beautifully improved and productive state. While public-spirited and generous, the major part of his attention has always been paid to his farm. He owns one hundred and forty-one acres of good land, located six miles northeast of the county seat, and he devotes himself to general farming. He is not a member of any secret organization, but his father was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.