JOSEPH M. CASTEEL, a prominent and highly respected farmer residing on section 5, Bird Township, belongs to an old Tennessee family. His father, James M. Casteel, and his mother Susan (Underwood) Casteel, came from Tennessee to this county in 1854, and made their home in Bird Township. The father died not many years after coming to the new home, but the mother survives and now at an advanced age makes her home with her children. These worthy parents had a family of eleven children, six of whom grew to maturity, and took their places in life, being an honor to their parents, and of use in the community where they live.

Our subject was one of the older members of the family. He was born in Blount County, Tenn., March 10, 1835. When his parents migrated to Macoupin County, this State, he came with them and made his home with them until his marriage. This interesting and momentous event occurred April 8, 1859, and the ceremony took place in Missouri. The young man rented land in Macoupin County until 1864, when he bought a small farm near Chilo Church in Bird Township. There they lived for two years, when he sold this land and somewhat later bought the farm where he now resides on section 5, of the same county. He owns one hundred and twenty-one acres of excellent soil and upon it was placed all necessary improvements.

Mrs. Casteel bore the maiden name of Minerva A. Laster. Her parents were Enoch and Charity (Hill) Laster, who came to this county from Greene County at quite an early day and made their home in Bird Township, until called hence by death. They were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters. Their daughter, Minerva, who became Mrs. Casteel, was the fourth in order of birth. She was born in Nashville, Tenn., May 13, 1844. To her have been given nine children, who were named as follows: Douglas A., who married Miss Phoebe Caldwin; Eudora A., who became the wife of Thomas E. Joiner; Robert E., who married Irene Dundon; Jennie E., who is Mrs. Isaac Vaughn, Minnie A., Joseph E., Lula M., who died when an infant; Mollie A. and Samuel J. Mr. and Mrs. Casteel are both earnest and efficient members of the Baptist Church, in which they find a broad field for labor and influence, and all the family find comfort in the same church, in the faith of which they are brining up their household. His political views are embodied in the declarations of the Democratic party in the support of which he is earnest and aggressive.