California Biographies

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


WILLIAM H. CASTNUR.  Was born in Lincoln County, Maine, March 8, 1829, and remained in his 
birthplace until he was twenty-eight years of age, and there learned the trade of ship-carpenter. In 
the early part of 1857 he started west, and located in Wheatland, Rice County, Minnesota, and 
engaged in farming for about two years, and the balance of his time up to his coming to California was 
employed at his trade on the steamers plying on the Mississippi River between St. Paul and New 
Orleans, and continued in this until the spring of 1860. He then sailed for California, coming via Cape 
Horn, and after a passage of one hundred and sixty-two days he arrived in San Francisco. He 
immediately began to work at his trade for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, making occasional 
trips to Panama, remaining in their employ until 1870. He then moved to Napa County and bought his 
present ranch of sixty acres, located one mile north of St. Helena, and engaged in grape growing. Mr. 
Castnur was united in marriage in Lincoln County, Maine, October 7, 1852, to Miss Sarah G Soule, a 
native of that county. They have five living children, William H., Lewis P., Frank E., Albert and Mary A.