Paul Castner
Paul Castner, a prominent citizen of Millvale, Jefferson County, Ohio, where he has been engaged in a general mercantile business since 1893, came here as one of the earliest settlers, in 1870. He was born in Island Creek Township, Jefferson County, September 26, 1845, and is a son of Rassellas and Christina (Limonstell) Castner.
Rassellas Castner was born in Island Creek Township, to which his father, Michael Castner, had come from Pennsylvania. He became a man of prominence and wealth in Island Creek Township and owned and improved the farm on which John D. Kilgore resides and built the brick house standing on that farm, which, at the time of its erection was considered one of the finest residences in all this section. Rassellas Castner was afforded a collegiate education and was an unusually intelligent and well informed man. His entire life was spent in Island Creek Township, where he died February 19, 1883. He was well known all over Jefferson County and had he so desired, could have been elected to many public offices by the Republican party. He was married first to Parmelia Rex, and they had two of their four children survive infancy: Michael C, residing in Island Creek Township, and Edwin S., residing near Newark, O. His second union was with Christina Limonstell and five children were born to that marriage, namely: Paul; Hannah, who is the wife of Joseph Blackburn, of Steubenville; Roderick M., who lives at Steubenville; Sarah, who is the wife of M. W. Ginger, of Steubenville; and Eli T., who also resides in that city.
Paul Castner was reared on the home farm in Island Creek Township and attended the district schools. During early manhood he engaged in agricultural pursuits and still owns a valuable farm of 102 acres, which is situated in Island Creek Township. He has been a general merchant at Millvale for the past seventeen years and was one of the pioneer business men of that place. Through his enterprise and interest he has done much in the way of building up this village.
On November 3, 1870, Mr. Castner was married to Miss Mary H. Paxton, who was born in Jefferson County, O., and is a daughter of the late George and Margaret Paxton, of Island Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Castner have had eight children, the six survivors being as follows: Gertrude M., who is the wife of Edward Cable, of Steubenville; Oella C, who is the wife of John H. Priest, of Wellsville; Anna E., who is the wife of H. M. Benedick, of Toronto, O.; Nina M., who is the wife of George N. Taylor, of Steubenville; and Charles and Edwin, both of whom reside at home. Margaret P. and Mollie are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Castner attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he has always been identified with the Republican party.
20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910