The Courier publishes a very excellent article concerning Mr. A. Castetter written by “a friend” that contains all the data of his life, but the editor desires to add a personal tribute. His death at this time means little to those outside the immediate friends and family, for he has been separated from the old life in this city for so many years. It is the old settler that knows him best as his best energies were spent in building up what the newer generation is so familiar with. As one of this newer generation we must view the life that has just passed. To us he was the man of larger brain, of farther insight, of more acumen than others of his time for he builded best of all. He filled a place that was to be filled, in fact, had to be filled by someone, and he was wise enough to choose what others did not choose. In the old DeSoto days all were on an equality financially, for this is what we think of when we think of him. His good sense gained while others lost, though happily he was never the victim of misfortune as others might have been, and misfortune is often of our own making. He became the banker for the community, not because he had the money, but because he had the good judgment and the ability to make and handle money. There were great opportunities in the early days and each one grasped as many as he was able to handle. Many a man of equal chance has debts instead of dollars today, simply because he lacked the ability either to make or save them. There are men in larger places who have made larger fortunes because the opportunities were greater. Mr. Castetter dealt with the small and simple affairs of a country bank and improved his opportunities. He became the leader in financial affairs in Washington county because nature made him a leader. There is a greatness that is not counted great, there are worlds of chances one can take advantage of without being grasping. It requires more good sense to drive a good bargain than to drive a good team. Facts are stubborn things and business is sometime stern, and the eye is keen that sees when to be grave and when to be gay, when to be stern and when to be liberal. Liberality doesn’t mean poor business methods - it means good business and a kind heart. These thoughts seem to come to us as we think of the aged banker who has lived and died among us. Mr. Castetter’s energies extended in his later years beyond his own county and state, and he became known and felt in the great western metropolis, Chicago, where he made large investments. All of this proves his indomitable energy as well as his unfailing good business judgement. But not for money making alone was he known, for all his life the kindness of his nature was made manifest in a thousand generosities that the world knows not of, nor need it know now. Much of his giving was commendable in that he helped others to help themselves. His giving was not reckless, and he gave to the deserving mostly. And now that his life has come to its close let us measure it as he would measure ours with that calm, good sense that is the best measure of a man.
Faults he had as mortals go,
And virtues more than most folks know
is a homely couplet that expressed much in the life of our late townsman “Abe” Castetter as he was commonly called. Yet not without respect for both old and young alike respect his memory.

(further in the same paper)

Mr. Abraham Castetter, the pioneer banker of Washington County, Nebraska, died at his residence in this city on April 23, 1900 at 3:15 o’clock p.m. surrounded by his family. Mr. Castetter was born at East Liberty, Ohio, February 13, 1831, and was one of a family of eight children, having four brothers and three sisters, John, Daniel, Samuel, Emanuel, Mrs. William Conrad, Mrs. Peter Conrad and Mrs. W. B. Osborn. He was married to Miss Helen Phelps at Williamson, Vermont May 9, 1854. Six children were born to him and his wife, and four of their children, Mrs. B. F. Haller, F. M. Castetter, and Mrs. F. H. Claridge of Blair and Mrs. J. H. Nash of Central City, Nebr. survive him. Mr. Castetter located in DeSoto, Nebraska in 1857, and was County Clerk of Washington County, Nebraska several terms under the territorial government, and Mrs. Castetter acted as his deputy. In the spring of 1869 Mr. Castetter moved to the new city of Blair, and went into the banking business with M. V. Wilson as partner. In a short time he purchased the interest of Mr. Wilson and continued as a private banker up to October, 1898 when the bank was incorporated as "The Banking House of A. Castetter”, with A. Castetter as president; F. M. Castetter, vice president and F. H. Claridge, cashier. The bank stock is all owned by his family. Mr. Castetter had a splendid intellect, and was a clear headed businessman and very conservative in his business. He was a thorough banker in every way. He was a man that was well posted on nearly every subject, and was blessed with a wonderful fund of general information. He was public spirited, generous and charitable, and “charity is the scope of all God’s commands”. Many persons suffering with disease have been befriended by Mr. Castetter. He not only gave them his attention, but paid their expenses in the hospital and saw that they got attention from some of the most eminent physicians. Mr. Castetter relieved hundreds of cases that very few people know anything about. He was a man that had no desire for cheap notoriety. The great banking institution that he established at Blair by his energy and good judgment was the financial foundation for the prosperity of Washington county, for his bank was the only one in the county for a treat many years, and has been in existence now for over thirty one years without ever showing a single sign of weakness or confusion. The Banking House of A. Castetter, which he leaves to his family, and in which he took great pride, is worthy of the man, and will stand as a monument to his memory, his energy and his good business judgment. Mr. Castetter had a great credit as a banker and was a man of wonderful resources. In times of great financial emergency it seemed to develop his strength of character and his clear headed business methods. He was very methodical in his business, and all departments of his bank worked like clockwork, plainly showing the mastermind at the head. When he was struggling for a start, his wife was a pillar of strength to him. A wise and conservative adviser, a true wife and mother, she assisted him at all times, until he was thoroughly started in his chosen business. Hundreds of the prosperous citizens of Washington county, and many outside of the county are greatly indebted to the financial assistance, and to the good sound business advice they received from Mr. Castetter. While very firm in business matters, he was kind, courteous and just to his customers. He was a very social, plain, humble man in his ways, and made no claim to superiority over his fellow citizens. No man in Washington county would go further or work harder to help his friends than Mr. Castetter.
A Friend.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

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