Alameda County
Biographies
RASMUS H. CASTERSON
a farmer near Pleasanton, is one of the progressive citizens of Alameda County, who dates his birth at Langeland, Denmark, December 7, 1843, where he grew up in agricultural pursuits, the son of Henry and Christine (Peterson) Casterson. His parents were also natives of that country but are now deceased. He came to America 1868, from Hamburg to New York, and then by way of Panama to San Francisco. In a short time he went to San Lorenzo, Alameda County. In July, 1869, he permanently located three and a half miles north of Pleasanton, where he now resides, on his ranch of 216 acres, and is carrying on general farming and stock-raising. He also rents fifty acres. He is a Republican in his political sympathies, taking efficient hold of local affairs.
He was married in San Francisco, March 16, 1873, to Miss Caroline Christianson, and they have eight children, namely: William M., Tillie, Laura M., Clarence C., Hattie, Harry J., Louis and Alfred B.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
GEORGE CROPSEY
a prosperous rancher of the Livermore Valley, is one of the prominent pioneers of Alameda County, and most worthy of mention in this history. He has been a prominent farmer and stock-raiser for nearly thirty years, and is now residing with his family upon his farm of 350 acres three miles and a half west of Livermore. He is also engaged in raising live-stock, including roadsters and speed horses, among them one stallion, “Redwood,” that has a record of 2:27 on the track, and others of less speed. He has a race course upon his own ranch.
Mr. Cropsey is a son of Giles B. and Maria (Lockwood) Cropsey, who were natives of New York State but are now deceased, the father dying in 1877. Mr. Cropsey, of this sketch, was born at East Troy, New York, December 8, 1836, and moved with his father to Rochester, that State, where he received his schooling. In 1858 he came by way of Panama to San Francisco, and for two years he was at various points on the coast, -- Sacramento, Russian River, Cloverdale, etc. In 1860 he went to Haywards and worked for a time, then to Portland, Oregon, where he was in the commission house of J. M. Blossom & Co. for a short time; then he went up the Salmon River, and to the Cariboo country in British Columbia; next he was engaged in quartz-mining in Nevada for several months; then he followed farming at Haywards until 1870, when he visited his native State. On his return to California he settled at San Lorenzo until 1877, when he went upon his present ranch.
He was married in Oakland, October 30, 1883, to Miss Matilda Rudebeck, and they have two children, Giles B. and Earl D.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JOHN ARMSTRONG
a general farmer of Livermore Valley, dates his birth September 26, 1842, in County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was reared on a farm, the son of Robert and Ann (Mills) Armstrong, also natives of the same county, who emigrated to America in 1863, locating at Nilestown, Ohio, where the father died, July 16, 1881; the mother is still living in that State. Mr. Armstrong, the subject of this paragraph, came to America in 1860, locating the next year in the town of Mexico, in the northeastern part of Missouri, and was engaged in agriculture there until 1870, when he moved with his family by rail to California, locating at Mt. Eden, Alameda County, for one year, and then upon his present farm four and a half miles northwest of Livermore, where he owns and cultivates 160 acres of fine land, raising stock and grain. He is one of those jovial, whole-souled sons of Erin so characteristic of the truly American character as to be a most welcome immigrant. He was naturalized in Missouri, in 1864.
He was united in matrimony to Miss Matilda Bell, in his native country, and they have now eight children: Annie B., Joseph D., John J., Martha J., Robert L., Newton W., William G. and Ora J. Mr. Armstrong is a member of Mosaic Lodge, No. 218, F. & A. M., and of Vesper Lodge, No. 62, A. O. U. W., of Livermore. Annie B. Armstrong was married June 20, 1886, to Samuel McKelvey, and now resides in San Francisco. Joseph D. Armstrong was married to Miss Sara McMullin the 1st day of July, 1890, and resides in San Lorenzo, where he is occupied as principal of the San Lorenzo public school.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler