George Herbert Castleman

When George Herbert Castleman Sr was born on 2 February 1860, in Oak Grove, West Carroll, Louisiana, United States, his father, David Frost Castleman, was 44 and his mother, Eliza Ann Beard, was 22. He married Mary Mae Reneau on 25 September 1883, in West Carroll, Louisiana, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 2 daughters. He lived in West Carroll, Louisiana, United States for about 20 years and Ward Four, West Carroll, Louisiana, United States for about 30 years. He died on 17 March 1941, in Oak Grove, West Carroll, Louisiana, United States, at the age of 81, and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Oak Grove, Lincoln, Louisiana, United States. 

In 1883 George marries Mary Mae Reneau 1866-1897 and they have 5 children:

Robert Castleman, Male 1884–1886

Fredrick Castleman, Male 1886–1954

Ervin Castleman, Male 1888–1952 My Grandfather

Lucy Castleman, Female 1891–1897

Edith Castleman, Female 1894–1898

In 1899 he marries Clara Corley 1871-1909 and they have 4 children

Purvis Castleman, Female 1889–1968

George Herbert Castleman Jr, Male 1900–1950

Mildred Castleman, Female 1904–1995

Elon Castleman, Female, 1907-1979

On the 1900 US Census George is 40 years old, gives his occupation as “Farmer” and reports that he owns his farm with no mortgage. He is married to 24 year old Clara (second wife) and children in his household are Fredrick age 14, b1886, Earvin age 12,  b1888, (both sons are listed as "Farm Laborer" under the Occupation column) Reinia age 10, b1890, and an infant. The family lives on the farm they own.

On the same page 63 year old Emma Castleman is a widow that gives her occupation as farmer and owns a farm with no mortgage. 15 year old William Renneau is listed as her adopted son and 9 year old Ethel Cheathem is her granddaughter. 

On the 1910 US Census George is 50 years old and is still a farmer that owns his farm with no mortgage. George Jr. is 9, Mildred is 5 and Elon is 2. Clara is not listed in his household. Fredrick, Earvin and Reina would be 24, 22 and 20 years old and seem to have left the household. Could it be they were no longer interested in the drudgery of farming? 

On the next line we find 23 year old Thomas L Castleman listed as a Head of household with his sister 20 year old Laura A. also living there. His occupation is given as ‘Logging’ and he works in a Saw Mill. These must be offspring of the Rev. Thomas T that died in 1862 in Mississippi that have come to stay with family?

In 1915 Earvin marries Annie Thompson. These are Tim’s grandparents. Brother Fred marries Pearl Hurley the year after. 

In the 1920 US Census George is 60, widowed and still owns his farm with no mortgage. George Jr is 18 years old and Mildred is 15.

Earvin is 31, Annie is 23 and daughter Ervina is 4 months old. His occupation is given as Clerk in a Dry Good Store so it is clear he has stopped working the family farm.

On the 1940 US Census George Sr is 80 year old and is living with his daughter Elon and her husband Ben McCasland who is a Millwright in a lumber yard. Earvin is now 52 and Annie is 43. Children in their household are Ervina age 20, Gloria age 17, Kenneth age 15, June age 12, Mary Ann age 10 and the youngest Donald S, Tim’s father, is age 7. His occupation  is Ice Salesman for 52 hours weekly. He lists 0 for income from Wages or Salary and answers Yes he received income from other than wages or salary, so it seems this was his independent business. Later we see he adds coal to his offering. Ervin died at age 63 in 1952, 6 years before Tim was born. Don played football at LSU and quit to join the Air Force, an eternal disappointment to his family because he returned to California to marry Bobbie on November 24, 1957 who was pregnant with Tim, born 8 months and 11 days later.

My next direct ancestor Ervin Castleman