Week 27: The Great Outdoors

 

Charles Albert Casto

20 Dec 1886 - 5 Sep 1951

I thought of Great-granduncle Charles for two reasons when I considered the topic for this week's blog.  First, his height was extraordinary for most branches of my family.  Standing here next to his sisters, his tall thin frame resembled a tree.  When Charles registered for the draft in World War II he stood 6 feet, 5 ½ inches tall and weighed just 190 pounds.  I'll have more to say about the second reason a little later.  

Charles was born in Rensselaer, Indiana, the fifth child of Jerome Casto (1854-1900) and Addrean Ann Hilton Casto (1852-1915).  His older siblings were Dennis Reason (b. 1876), William Howard (b. 1879), Minnie Lee (b. 1881), and Martha Matilda (b. 1884).  Benjamin Harrison (b. 1890) was the sixth child in the family. 

In the June 1900 Census Charles' age was recorded as 12 years old.  In order for that to be true, he would have been born in 1887 instead of 1886.  On the other hand, his draft registrations for both world wars, his death certificate, his headstone, and both obituaries I've seen list his birthdate as 20 Dec 1886. 

As a boy, Charles lived on his family's farm.  In the 1910 U.S. Census he still lived at home with his parents and worked as a farm laborer.  His age was stated as 22 but with a Dec of 1886 birthdate he should have been 23 in April of that year.  If the enumerator questioned either his mother or his father on the 1900 and 1910 Census records, they were off by one year each time. 

On 30 Jun 1914 when he was 27 Charles married Emma Albine Dressen in Clay County, Mississippi.  That made me curious.  How did an Indiana farmer meet and marry a Mississippi girl?  I'm still looking for a clue to that mystery.  Charles and Emma had one daughter--or did they?  Rose Marie was born on 20 Apr 1929 in St. Joseph County, Indiana.  Interestingly, the 1920 Census showed that Charles and Emma had a 4-year old daughter named Dortha, which would give her a 1915 or 1916 birth year..  This census was the only place that Dortha ever appeared.  

I haven't found many details about Charles and Emma's life together.  I do know they worshipped in the St. James Lutheran Church and that their daughter Rose gave them four grandchildren.

As I read Charles' obituary I found references to his personality and interests:

 Although leading a rather secluded life while devoting himself to his family and nearby neighbors, Mr. Casto nevertheless formed many friendships.  He was a genial man whose engaging personality endeared him to all. 

He was devoted to the out-of-doors and enjoyed the field and stream.  His character was such as to earn him the profound respect of everyone.  He passing brings sorrow to many. 

It made me happy to know that Great-granduncle Charles loved the outdoors so much.  He was a perfect match for this posting.