John Hamilton Castor Dec. 15, 1836 - Jan. 21, 1908
John H. was a Captain in the Civil War. He married Louise Glitzman Dec. 28th, 1871. He had two sons; William Wildon Castor, Charles Arnold Castor, and one daughter; Nellie Ora Castor. He lived with his family at 403 South Forge St., Akron, Ohio and worked as a laborer at the Akron Water Works.
John enlisted and was appointed 1st Lt. of Co. A, 102nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment on 19 July 1862 at the age 26. He was appointed Regimental Quartermaster on the 18 September 1864. He was promoted to Captain on 3 January 1865. Then he was given command of Co. A on 23 April 1865. He was mustered out on 30 June 1865 at Nashville,TN. He also served in Co. G, 16th OVI for three months.
While at the battle of Athens, Alabama, he and some others were captured on 24 September 1864. As a prisoner of war, they marched through streams and were kept in the open with out shelter or blankets or sufficient clothing and had to sleep on the bare ground. The weather became cold and it had continued to stay wet and cold during that time. By 20 October 1864 severe rheumatism had set in. He was paroled at Memphas, Tennessee on 15 November 1864 as an invalid. On 29 November 1864 he reported to Camp Chase Ohio and was promoted to the rank of Captain on 3 January 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee. His company was Discharged 30 June 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee.
John was retained in the service and sent to Columbus, Ohio to turn over the company arms and equipment to the US authorities. While he was engaged in the process, he suffered severe sunstroke on 6 July 1865. It must have been a hot sunny day and the military only issued one type of uniform at that time. They were made of heavy woolen fabric not conducive to heavy Summer activities. He completed the assignment and was discharged 8 July 1865. Following his service, he suffered greatly from the rheumatism and the effects of the sunstroke. Because of his ailments he was allowed an invalid pension in 1879.
Source: "History of the 102d OVI", George S. Schmutz, 1907 and the Castor Association of America.
- There Children:
- William Weldon Castor born 1871 died 1926.
- Charles Albert Castor born 1875 died 1947.
- Nellie Ora Castor Leiby born 1880 died 1917.