Casto, George N.

Passed: 1936-04-17

Age: 71

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1936-04-24

Information: FORMER DEPUTY CLERK G. N. CASTO, VICTIM HEART TROUBLE - George N. Casto, 71 years old and a former deputy county clerk, died at his home in Ripley at five o'clock last Friday morning.  His condition had been serious for several days from heart disease.  Mr. Casto was one of the county's well known and most beloved citizens.  His death was a blow to his friends in every section of the county because many of them had not heard of his illness which was for only a few days.  Born on a farm in Washington district, the son of a pioneer settler there, George N. Casto spent his boyhood as a farmboy and at an early age was given a teacher's certificate.  For many years he was one of the leading teachers of the county, was always active in the work of the profession and the greater part of his teaching experience was confined to his home section of the county.  He served as a deputy sheriff in Washington district during the time the late R. P. Shinn was sheriff of the county and some time later he came to Ripley to become deputy clerk of the county court during the term of the late C. C. Staats.  He continued to serve in that capacity during the remainder of Mr. Staats' term and for twelve years following he served in the same capacity under Enoch Staats during both terms he served as clerk of the county court.  After his term of office expired on December 31, 1932 he retired to his home here to spend the remainder of his days in peace and quietness and often said after he laid down the cares of public office that he was extremely happy.      He was a member of the Ripley United Brethren church and had served in many official capacitites in both the church organization and the Sunday School and was treasurer of the latter at the time of his death.  He is survived by the widow and two sons, Oley Casto of St. Paul, Minnesota and Warren Casto of Akron Ohio.  The funeral services were hed at the Ripley United Brethren church Sunday afternoon at two o'clock under the direction of Rev. Fred Slaughter and Undertakers Vail and Mills.  Interment was in the Pine Hill cemetery.  Rev. Slaughter was assisted in the funeral service by Rev. Curtis Robinson and Rev. J. R. Withrow.  The active pallbearers were W. B. Stewart, John Harpold, Holly Casto, Denver Tolley, Denny Casto and J. E. Harrison.  The honorary pallbearers were Oshel C. Staats, W. C. Casto, James L. Rhodes, Dr. W. E. Casto, H. L. Kerwood, P. W. Blankenship, A. A. Shinn, Melvin Lane, John Kerwood, E. T. Hatcher and Sattis Simmons.  The following obituary was read by T. Clayton Parsons, who had long been associated with Mr. Casto in church and Sunday School work:      George N. Casto, son of Nicholas and Telitha Casto, was born at Staats Mill, West Virginia, March 21, 1865 and at his death which occured April 17, 1936 was 71 years and 26 days old.  He was united in marriage to Miss Esther C. Scarberry in 1888.  Three children were born to this union, Oley Casto of St. Paul, Minnesota, Warren Casto of Akron, Ohio and Everett Casto who died May 13, 1921.  His grandchildren are Mary, Geraldine, Gladys, Charles T., George C. and Charles Gilbert Casto.  His parents were among the early pioneers of this county, the father being one of the pioneer ministers.  Coming from a good home like this one, Mr. Casto from youth had a wholesome influence on those with whom he associated.  He became a Christian in early manhood and united with the United Brethren church at Beech Grove and when he came to Ripley to reside he brought his membership to the Ripley United Brethren church where he has been one of its most faithful and substantial members and officials during these 21 years.  He had been a member of the I.O.O.F. for 40 years.  He has had a long and honorable.....affairs of the.......as Justice of the Peace, Member of the Board of Education and Deputy Sheriff of Washington district and was for 17 years Deputy County Clerk of Jackson county which service brought him in contact with most all the citizens of the county to whom he was well and favorably known.  His friends in the county were legion as a result of this long and faithful service to its citizens.  He is survived by his wife, two sons, six grandchildren, and the following brothers and sisters:  A. A. Casto, Plum Orchard, W. Va., Wm. H. Casto, Belgrove, W. Va., Everett Casto, Staats Mills, W. Va., Mrs. Sarah Casto, Little Washington, Pa., and Mrs. O. J. Parsons of Ripley, W. Va.  A devoted husband, a loving father, an outstanding citizen, a stalwart churchman and a Christian man has passed from among us.  He died possessed of a triumphant faith in our Christ who said ""Because I live ye shall live also"".  May we who came here to pay our last tribute so live as to emulate the cardinal principles that made his life a useful and Godly life among his neighbors and friends.