California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 LEMUEL F. CASTLE. One of the best known and most prosperous stockmen of cen- tral California is Lemuel F. Castle, who owns and occupies an improved ranch in the Dos Palos colony. As a cattle breeder and dealer he has met with success, his judgment and business management being wise and his methods practical, systematic and progressive. During the time that he has resided in this section of Mercer county the people have learned to look upon him as a man fully worthy of their confidence and as one who contributes materially to the agricultural and business prosperity of the community. His birth occurred November 14, 1858, at Forest Home, Amador county, Cal. He comes of substantial pioneer stock, his father, Welman D. Castle, and his grandfather, Isaac Castle, having both been among the early set- tlers of the state. The latter, who was a farmer and orchardist, died in San Jose. Born in New York state, W. D. Castle lived there until after attaining his majority. In 1849, accompanied by his brother-in-law, Mr. Green, he started across the plains for California, com- ing the first part of the way by ox teams and the last part by pack horses. Like the greater part of those that came here in that year he was first engaged in mining, but in his search for gold was disappointed, and in 185 1 he changed his occupation. Going to Santa Ynez, he bought a herd of cattle, which he drove to Sacramento, where he sold them at a good price. Succeeding so well in this business, he continued to buy and sell cattle and sheep for several years. Subse- quently locating at Forest Home, Amador county, he erected a stone house on the old stage road and engaged in the hotel business, becoming proprietor of the Forest house, which is still standing, being one of the early landmarks of that locality. He continued as mine host until the construction of the railroad, when, in 1869, he removed to Milpitas, Santa Clara county, where he was engaged in the butcher business until his retirement from active pursuits. He still resides there, a venerable and respected man of four-score years. In Corunna, Mich., he mar- ried Frances Farey, who was born in New York state of New England ancestry, and died in 1861 at Forest Home, Amador county. He subsequently married again. By both unions he be- came the father of nine children, five of whom are living, Lemuel F. being the youngest child of his first wife. Removing with the family to Milpitas in 1869, Lemuel F. Castle there continued his studies for a while in the public schools, completing his early education in the San Jose Business Col- lege. Entering then the employ of his father, he went to eastern Oregon to buy cattle, which he drove from Crook county to San Jose and Marysville, Cal., making a number of trips each year. On starting in life on his own account, Mr. Castle located in Crook county, Ore., thirty- five miles east of Prineville, where he was successfully engaged in the cattle business for twelve years. At the same time, with his father and brother, Isaac N., he had a large cattle ranch at Hollister, Cal. In 1899, the partnership being dissolved, Mr. Castle drove his fine herd of cattle to Dos Palos, and, having purchased the Davis ranch on Center avenue, has continued in the stock business, buying and selling on a large scale. His home ranch contains fifty-five acres of land, nearly all of which he has planted to alfalfa, a sure and profitable crop. Mr. Castle also owns a cattle ranch of three hundred and twenty acres at Panoche, San Be- nito county, where he keeps much valuable stock, in addition to his own range leasing one thou- sand acres of land. His business is extensive and lucrative, his annual income being large. In Saratoga, Santa Clara county, Mr. Castle married Kate Hartman, who was born and reared in San Jose. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and fraternally belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen.