I’ve “rescued” an old photograph of two children belonging to Mrs. Nora CASTLE of Philomath, OR. The photograph was taken at the Crawford & Paxton Studio in Albany, OR sometime in the 1890’s most likely. The two children appear to be about 3-7 years old at the time it was taken. Notes on the back of the photograph indicate that the family lives “at sawmill 9 miles west” and that they wish to have a crayon bust drawn from the photograph of the girl. Based on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding this CASTLE Family:

Leonora “Nora” WILCOX CASTLE was b. 25 Sept 1866 in Brownsville, OR to parents Thomas J. WILCOX (1815-1896) and Martha Ann STEPHENS (1828-1900). Nora was one of 8 children born to this couple including, Zenes S.; Sheldon a.; Robert Jurson; Seth W.; Ralph; Ulysses Grant; Leonora “Nora”; and Joel B. WILCOX, all born between 1847 and 1869. Nora died 26 Jun 1933 in The Dalles, OR and is buried in the Coburg IOOF Cemetery in Coburg, OR.

Nellie C. CASTLE FRANZ was b. 3 Jan 1889 and died 27 Dec 1968 and is buried in the Coburg IOOF Cemetery in Coburg, OR. Nellie was married twice, first to Edward Curtis WALKER (b. 1882) and a second time to John C. FRANZ.

Raymond W. “Ray” CASTLE was b. 4 Apr 1891 to parents William N. or M. CASTLE (b. 1864) and Leonora “Nora” WILCOX (1866-1933) in Philomath, OR and died 23 Feb 1934 in Fresno, CA and is buried in the Coburg IOFF Cemetery in Coburg, OR. Ray died of injuries sustain in an automobile accident. Ray’s family moved to Irrigon, OR when he was 14 years old. Ray joined the Army in 1916 and served in France until his discharge in 1919 and he moved to Fresno, CA in 1924. Ray was married to Emma (b. 1896). Ray’s obituary indicates that his Father and a sister Nelle C. FRANZ of Coburg, OR survived him.

Census records provide the following details:

1900 census of Philomath, OR:

William N. CASTLE, age 35, born Jul 1864, married 14 years, born IN, parents born IN/OH, a Farmer
Leonora CASTLE, wife, age 33, born Sept 1866, married 14 years, 2 children/2 living, born OR, parents born OH/MO
Nellie CASTLE, dau, age 11, born Jan 1889, born OR, at School
Raymond W. CASTLE, son, age 9, born Apr 1891, born OR, at School

1910 census of Irrigon, OR:

William M. CASTLE, age 45, married 23 years, born IN, parents born IN/OH, a Farm Laborer
Leonora CASTLE, wife, age 43, married 23 years, 2 children/2 living, born OR, parents born OH/MO, a Dressmaker
Ray W. CASTLE, son, age 19, born OR

1920 census of Irrigon, OR:

William M. CASTLE, age 55, born IN, parents born PA/IL, a Government Inspector
Lenora CASTLE, wife, age 53, born OR, parents born OH/MO, a Dressmaker
Nellie CASTLE, dau, age 30, divorced, born OR, a Laundry Bookkeeper

1920 census of Ogden, UT:

Raymond W. CASTLE, age 28, born OR, parents born IN/OR, a Railroad Conductor
Emma CASTLE, wife, age 24, to USA 1919, Vosges, parents born Vosges
Nelle CASTLE, sister, age 31, born OR, parents born IN/OR

1930 census of The Dalles, OR:

John C. FRANZ, age 47, married at age 39, born Germany, parents born Germany, to USA 1885, a Hotel Clerk
Nelle C. FRANZ, wife, age 40, married at age 32, born OR, parents born IN/OR

1940 census of The Dalles, OR:

John C. FRANZ, age 57, born Germany, a Hotel Clerk
Nelle C. FRANZ, wife, age 51, born OR

I’m hoping to locate someone from this family so that this wonderful old treasure can be returned to its rightful place with family. If you are a member of this family, or you know someone who might be, please contact me.

Thanks,
Shelley