Captain GEORGE J. CASTLE was born in Watertown, Conn., on the 22d of March, 1839. His father, John Castle, was a native of the same state, and was a machinist by trade. He died in 1852. He married Clara Welton, who is still living in New Haven, Conn. The subject of our sketch is the only child of the family. He came to Illinois at the age of fourteen years, arriving here in 1853. He worked upon a farm until the breaking out of the war, when he went east on a visit, and while there enlisted in Company "D," 2d New York cavalry. The company was attached to McDowell's Corps, in the Army of the Potomac. He entered the service in 1861, and remained with the company until after Pope's defeat at the second battle of Bull's Run, after which he was detached and sent to New York City to recruit up the regiment. After that was filled he raised another regiment, which was known as the 13th New York Cavalry, and he was appointed captain. The regiment reported at Washington for duty, and from there was sent to Virginia, and was for the most part scouting, until the advance of Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, when the regiment supported the left flank. In June, 1865, he resigned and came west. He engaged in mercantile pursuits and other business until 1873, when he entred the livery, feed, and sale stable business, in which he is still engaged.

On the 8th of September, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Fishback, who is a native of Alabama, but was a resident of Macoupin county at the time of her marriage. Her father, William H. Fishback, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, June 11th, 1813, and live there until 1822. He was a tailor by trade and continued in that business until ill health compelled hinm to abandon it. In 1822 he removed to Kentucky to Huntsville, Alabama, where he remained until 1847, when he removed with his family to Macoupin county, Illinois, where he had previously been, and bought a farm eight miles south of Carlinville, on the old Alton road. On the lst of October, 1839, he was united in marriage with Margaret E. Black, who died in 1853. In 1870 Mr. Fishback was elected sheriff of Macoupin county, when he removed to Carlinville. He was for years prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the county, and was an active member of the Board of Agricuture. He was eminently a self-made man. In early life he had no opportunities of obtaining an education in the school room. He followed his trade by day and at night pored over books, and in this way succeeded in getting a good and useful education. Whatever he did, he did well. In 1861, at the breaking out of the war, he was one of the first to urge the most vigorous measures, and he made sacrifices for the good of his country. He sent forth his two sons in the first regiment that was raised in the county. When the 122d regiment Illinois volunteers was organized, he was chosen colonel, but ill-health forced him to decline the honor. He was an honest, upright and conscientious man, and faithful officer, in whom the people placed implicit trust. He sleeps quietly beneath the sod of the valley. Peace be to his ashes. Honor to his memory. There has been born to George J. and Emma B. Castle two children, a boy and girl. In politics Mr. Castle is a republican. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Episcopal Church. He is an active business man. At present he is president of the Board of Agriculture of Macoupin county, and also Mayor of the city of Carlinville.