John J. Caster was born in Homer County, Ohio, July 9, 1822, near the city of Fredericksburgh. He is the son of McDonnell and Sarah Haley Caster, natives of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. His boyhood was spent on his father’s farm and at school, and after reaching manhood he turned his attention to stock-raising in connection with farming, and also pursued the trade of a carpenter. In 1856 he went to Gentry County, Missouri, and entered 200 acres of land, which he soon sold, and then gave his whole time to his trade for a few years. In 1861 he enlisted in the militia and served during the war. Since that time he has been principally engaged in farming and stockraising, in Sheridan Township.
Mr. Caster was married, November 11, 1848, to Miss Eliza W. Allen, daughter of Jesse Allen and Sabrina Splawn Allen, both natives of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Caster have three children by adoption: John Donahue, Samuel Carter and Grant Carter.