James Caster, one of the old and honored pioneers of Jay County, with whose interests he has been identified since 1841, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Allegheny County, June 29, 1809, a son of Gabriel and Catherine (Hoffman) Caster. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native state and in his youth received such education as schools of that early day afforded. When twenty-seven years of age, he went to Preble County, Ohio, where he was married February 8, 1837, to Rebecca Wilkinson, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Evans) Wilkinson. They have four children living – William, Elizabeth Stuart, Henry and James R. Their son, Charles W., was a member of the One Hundredth Indiana Infantry, and died in the service of his country at Bellefonte Station, Alabama, at the age of twenty years.
Mr. Caster remained in Preble County until 1841, when he
came with his family, then consisting of wife and two children, to Indiana,
making the journey by team.
During his residence in the county, he has
resided on the same farm on Section 26, Wayne Township, a period of
forty-six years, which is well improved and under good cultivation. He has
been a consistent member of the United Brethren Church for thirty years.
In politics he is a strong adherent of the principles of the Republican Party. He has always been a public spirited and enterprising man, and has been active in advancing the interest of his township or county, where he is classed among the most respected citizens.
Biographical and Historical Record Jay County Indiana,
Lewis Publishing Company, 1887
Contributed by Margie Pearce
Buried in Liber Cemetery