THOMAS B. CASTLEMAN

 A biographical sketch of Thomas B. Castleman who was Master of Olive Branch No. 38 in 1882 is included in the book, The Past and Present of Vermilion County, Illinois, published by the S.J. Clarke Publishing Company in 1903.  http://livinghistoryofillinois.com/history_of_illinois_counties.html  The text of the sketch is here.

THOMAS B. CASTLEMAN.

In the promotion and advancement of the world in all the normal lines of human progress and civilization there is no factor which has exercised a more potent influence than the press, which is both the director and the mirror of public opinion. Vermilion county has been signally favored in the character of its newspapers which have been vital, enthusiastic and progressive, ever aiming to advance the interests of this favored section of the country and aiding in laying fast and sure the foundations of an enlightened commonwealth, to further the ends of justice and to uphold the banner of Illinois.  In all of these matters the Danville Press has been among the foremost papers of the county and Thomas B. Castleman, its manager, is a well-known factor in journalistic circles.

Mr. Castleman was born in Clark County, Virginia, a son of William A. and Ann R. (Isler) Castleman, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. The father was a farmer and merchant of Clark County, Virginia, and also served as judge. He died in 1884 at the age of seventy-four years, but the mother of our subject is still living.  They became the parents of eleven children which reached manhood or womanhood and of this number seven are yet living. Thomas B. being the third in order of birth. 

In Berryville Academy, of Virginia, Thomas B. Castleman pursued his education, completing his school course in 1867.  He afterward engaged in farming in his native state until 1870 when he came to the west, establishing his home in Danville in that year. Here he entered the employ of William Hessey as bookkeeper and subsequently accepted a similar position with the firm of William Mann & Company with whom he continued for seven years. Later he engaged in dealing in men's furnishing goods for three years, after which he entered the post office as mail clerk, capably serving in that capacity for four years. The year 1888 was spent as city editor of the Danville Press and he then became bookkeeper for the Kellyville Coal Company. In the year 1891 he acted as clerk in the state legislature and in 1894 he was assistant postmaster of Danville, acting in that capacity under John Beard until 1897, when he became secretary, solicitor and local manager for the Danville Press, a position which he now holds. In June, 1901, he also became a member of the board of review of Vermilion County, and is now acting in that position. In his political affiliations he is an old school Democrat.  He is not bitterly partisan, and in fact is liberal on political matters believing it policy to maintain favorable conditions rather than to inaugurate changes. In the year 1889 he was elected city treasurer of Danville.  Mr. Castleman holds membership in Olive Branch Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M. of which he is a past master, and he also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In 1875 he married Harriet Du Puy, of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, and unto them have been born three children, William D., Estelle M. and Irene A.