From: "Biographical Review of Cass, Schuyler and
Brown Counties, Illinois 1892", by Biographical Review Publishing
Company, Chicago, Illinois; pages 580, a reprinted by Stevens
Publishing Co., Astoria, Ill., 1971, is sold by the Schuyler County
Historical Society, Rushville, Illinois.
George W. Barneycastle, Alderman of the First Ward, Beardstown,
and blacksmith for the Quincy railroad, was born in Bertie County,
North Carolina, October 1, 1844. His father, George W. Barneycastle was
born and spent all his life in Bertie county. He spent his life in
farming, and died at the age of seventy years. His wife died when
little George was twelve years old. At the death of his mother, little
George was taken by an uncle and aunt, James and Sarah Wilson, and
taken by them to Cass county, Illinois. They settled on a farm in
Arenzville precinct. Here George was raised and his uncle and aunt
lived and died. He learned his trade in Beardstown under the oldest
firm in the city, John Webb & Co., and completed his trade a little
before he was twenty-one. He then tried his hand at farming for three
years, but finally entered the Quincy shops, and has since been engaged
there. He has been on their pay rolls ever since 1878.
When George was eighteen, he enlisted in Company I. Third
Illinois Cavalry, Captain Samuel Shelenberger in command. They went as
a regiment to the front in 1864, and engaged in many small battles in
the Cumberland mountains and Mississippi, under General Hatch. After
serving for about one year he was mustered out at Snelling, Minnesota,
October 28, 1865. He escaped unhurt and was never captured. He was
always on duty and never was sick. Since the war he has lived in
Beardstown most of the time, and has been an enterprising citizen. He
is a member of the G.A.R., McLane Post, 97, also a member of the
subordinate lodge I.O.O.F., and is Past Grand Commander, having filled
all the chairs. He takes an active part in local politics and serves
his party, Democratic, in a very proficient manner. He has been closely
associated with the best interests of the city.
He was married in this city, to Miss Elizabeth Dengler of
Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, born in 1845. She came West with her
parents when very young, the family settling in Bath, Mason county. Her
father and mother died when quite old, Mr. Dengler being an engineer.
Mr. and Mrs. Barneycastle attend the Methodist episcopal Church,
of which Mrs. Barneycastle is a member. They have three children
besides the one child, William, who died when young. The living
children are: Lillie M., a type-writer in the office of the "Star of
the West"; and Clyde, at home.
