SAMUEL CASTNER is one of those successful farmers who merit the hearty commendation of every good citizen, for the manner in which they have achieved such favorable results, by years of patient toil. He is a son of George Castner, whose father was born in Germany, and in early manhood immigrated to America. He located in New Jersey and was there married, passing the remainder of his life in his adopted State. Among the children of this couple was the son George, who was married to Susan Nicholson, of Mifflin county, Penn., and reared the following children: Mary, Sydney, James, Frederick (living in Holmes county Ohio), William, Nancy (widow of Jacob Miller, of Donegal township), Samuel, Susan (living near Midway, Penn.), George (lived in Kentucky), Hannah, Sarah (living in Missouri), Maggie (widow of James Davis, of Bethany, W. Va.), Eliza and John T. (a farmer of Hopewell township). Of this family Mary, Sydney, James, William, George, Hannah and Eliza are deceased. Mr. Castner removed to Washington county, Penn., some years after his marriage, and died there in the year 1860, being followed by his wife in 1864. Samuel Castner (subject of sketch) was born August 25, 1823, in Mifflin county, Penn., and attended the country schools in that vicinity, until he became old enough to assist on the farm. His parents were growing old and soon became dependent upon him, but in a short time he accumulated enough to support them, and continued to supply their needs as long as they lived. In 1848 Mr. Castner was united in marriage with Martha Dunbar (who was born March 2, 1832), daughter of James and Mary (Elder) Dunbar. The children born to them were as follows: Susan (Mrs. Albert Liggett, of Hopewell township), James D. (of Bethany, W. Va.), George J., Mary L. and Samuel W. (all three of whom are deceased), Elmer E. E. (a carpenter of Bethany, W. Va.), and Charles A. ( living at home ). Mr. Castner passed the first portion of his married life near Burgettstown, Penn., and then moved to Judge McKeever's farm, where he resided as a tenant for seventeen years. Five years previous to leaving this place he bought an adjoining farm, and then managed both places. In the year 1875 he sold the farm in Hopewell township, and purchased the valuable property where he now resides, which is situated in the eastern part of Independence township, near the Hopewell line. Mr. Castner is extensively engaged in raising stock, the farm being well managed, and capable of accommodating a large amount of stock. Mr. Castner has been the architect of his own fortune, but like the greater portion of the successful citizens, much of his prosperity is justly due to the sympathy, tact and assistance of the faithful wife who has shared the joys and sorrows of her husband's life. Politically, he was formerly a Whig and an active Abolitionist, feeding and sheltering many a fugitive, while they attempted to escape from the cruel bonds of slavery. During the slavery troubles, he frequently had six or eight negroes under his protection at one time. He is now a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.

Text taken from page 1100 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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