Vermilion county Illinois, WILLIAM CAST ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Joy Fisher ==================================================================== p. 227-228 WILLIAM CAST. The subject of this notice is numbered among the pioneer residents and well-to-do farmers of this county, who carved out their fortunes by the labor of their hands, and to whom we are indebted for the development of the rich resources of the Prairie State. Mr. Cast has been a resident of Danville Township for a long period, and is held in high repute among its best citizens. The subject of our sketch was born in Vernon Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, April 17,1821, and is the son of Aquilla and Mary (Villars) Cast, the former born in Kentucky, Dec. 7, 1799, and the latter born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 13, 1798. The paternal grandfather, Ezekiel Cast, is supposed to have been, likewise a native of Kentucky, whence he removed to Ohio in 1805, while it was in the third year of its dignity as a State. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Clinton County, and purchased a tract of timber land in Vernon Township, where he improved a farm and resided until his death. The father of our subject was quite young when his parents removed to Ohio. He was reared and married in Clinton County, and purchased land in Vernon Township, where he engaged in farming until his death in September, 1831. The mother survived her husband for a period of twenty- five years, and died in Clinton County in 1856. Her father, James Villars, is supposed to have been a native of Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Ohio in 1806, making the journey down the river, and landing at Cincinnati, which was then in its embryo state. He also, like grandfather Cast, was one of the earliest pioneers of Clinton County, and like him cleared a farm from the wilderness, where he spent his last days. He married Miss Rebecca Davis, of Pennsylvania, and she also died in Clinton County, Ohio. Aquilla Cast, and his estimable wife became the parents of eight children, seven of whom grew to mature years, and of whom William, our subject, was the fourth in order of birth. He was only ten years old when his father died, but remained on the farm with his mother, acquiring his education in the common school and becoming familiar with the labors incident to the routine of farm life. He continued a resident of Clinton County until 1843, then started out to seek his fortunes, his destination being this county. He was equipped with a team of horses and a wagon and accompanied by his family, they bringing with them their household goods. After fourteen days' travel they landed in Danville Township, and Mr. Cast, in the fall of that year, purchased 100 acres of land, the nucleus of his present farm. There were no railroads in Illinois for some years after Mr. Cast settled in this county, and for a long period Covington and Perrysville were the nearest markets. Deer, turkeys and other game were plentiful. The Cast family battled with many difficulties and some hardships, and underwent the usual experience of life on the frontier. Our subject proceeded steadily with the improvement of his property, and was greatly prospered in his labors. As time passed on, he added to his landed estate, and now has a well-improved farm of 320 acres. He has erected good buildings, and has gathered around himself and his family all the comforts and conveniences of modern life. The marriage of our subject with Miss Rachel Villars was celebrated at the bride's home in Clinton County, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1843. Mrs. Cast was born in Vernon Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, May 16, 1823. Her father, William Villars, was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 31, 1802, and is the son of James and Rebecca Villars, who removed to Ohio when he was four years old. He was reared in the Buckeye State, and married Miss Ruth Whittaker, a native of Clinton County. Her parents were Oliver and Mary Whittaker, natives of New Jersey, who removed to Clinton County, Ohio, during its early settlement. The father of Mrs. Cast inherited a large tract of land in that county, where he carried on farming until 1843. He then came to this county, purchasing land in Danville Township, and has been a resident here since that time, and is now in his ninety-seventh year. To Mr. and Mrs. Cast there were born four children, the eldest of whom, James W., married Miss Ella Farris, and is the father of two children— Mabel and Minnie. John Oliver married Mary Thayer, and has two children—George and Carrie. Mary is the wife of Perry Brown, of Chetopa, Kan. George Aquilla died at the age of nineteen months. In politics Mr. Cast has been a staunch Democrat, as was also his father, and Mrs. Cast also.