John Casteel was found dead in his rooms at the Abell barn this morning about seven o'clock. His death was evidently caused by heart failure and occurred sometime during the night, while he was alone. He has been complaining lately of a pain in his left side and shoulder and had been able to be up and around to attend to his work.This morning when M. Clemons went over as was his custom to help with the milking, he noticed that Mr. Casteel was not out as usual doing his morning chores, so he went to his room to call him. It was then that he found him dead. His body lying on the floor at the foot of his bed with his clothing and shoes on.
For some time Mr. Casteel had been in his room, usually alone, so at the time of his death he was alone and no one knew just how death came about.
Soon after the body was found, Sheriff Grimes was notified. He called the coroner, Dr. Hawley of Englewood.
His son, Robert, who is employed at the Dakin ranch is the only relative here. Mr. Casteel had lived in Clark county about thirty years and was past 64 years of age at the time of his death.
The Ashland Clipper, April 29, 1926.
Of the life of John Casteel before he came to this county very little is known. There is ground for the statement that he was born in or near Danville, Illinois. OBITUARY
He came among us in the spring of 1892 and harvested here that summer. It has been stated that he came here with his little son, Edward, after the death of his wife and mother in Indiana. That son is somewhere in Minnesota or Wisconsin and could not be communicated with at the time.
December 29, 1892, he was married to a daughter of William Clark who lived south of Minneola. For a time the family lived on a farm and then moved to town. To this union three children were born, Ruth, William and Robert. Of these only Robert is here today. Will is in Dallas, Texas and Ruth could not be located in time to inform her of the death of her father.
He was married to Mrs. Roberts of Ashland on September 23, 1918, to this union one son survives, John Jr.
John Casteel was a man of sterling honor who always regarded his word as his bond. His business transactions were always strictly in conformity with a rigid standard of honesty, and it can be truthfully said of him "Here lies an honest man."
He has lived his life much alone and he died as he lived - alone.
It was a shock to us all when it was learned that he was found yesterday morning lying on the floor of his room dead. That his passing was without pain was evident. For some time he has been complaining of the pain in his heart region and it is certain that paralysis of the heart ended his earthly career.
Some years ago, Mr. Casteel made his peace with God and has since tried to live as a Christian should. He was firm in his conviction and his friends testify to his effort to live up to a good Christian standard. He was a member of the Pentecostal Church.
The funeral services was conducted in the Methodist Episcopal Church on the afternoon of April 23rd by the pastor of the church R. L. Foster, and interment made in the Highland Cemetery.
1920 Census: Center township, Clark County, Kansas:
Casteel, John, 62, born Ohio, fa. Born Ohio, mo. born Penn.
Casteel, Amanda, 37, born Texas, parents born La.
Roberts, Gladys, 9, born Tx.
Roberts, Elsie M. 6, Tx
Roberts, Van H., 6, Tx
Roberts, Roby D., 4 and 3 mo. born Ks.
Casteel, John L. 6 months, born Ks.1930 City of Protection, Kansas, Census:
Mrs. A. Casteel, 44 born Texas, cook in restaurant, born Texas, she is a widow.
Dau.- Elsie M. Roberts, 17, born Tx.
Son.- Van Henry Roberts, 16, born Tx.
Son.- Roby D. Roberts, 14, born Ks.
Son.- John Casteel, 10, born Ks. His father was born in Ill.
Roby D. Roberts, born: 13 Oct 1915; died: 17 Oct 1999; last address: zip 93455, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, CA; Social Security# 562-10-1825. SS# issued: California. Source: Social Security Death Index.
Clark County Clipper, April 30, 1908. Mrs. John Casteel had a tumor removed over her eye last Sunday and is getting along all right. Dr. F. I. Dodge did the work.
Lt. Johnnie Leroy Casteel, U.S. Army, WWII John Casteel's son was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for gallantry in action during the Normandy Invasion. He died on 12 Aug 1944 in France from wounds received in a tank battle the day before.
TWO PROTECTION BOYS SHOT ON HALLOWEEN: High School Boys Are Victims of Stewart Millimum Monday Evening, The Wilmore News, 4 Nov 1932. (One of the boys shot was Roby Roberts.)
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news articles to this web site!
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