The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 240 A portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Casto E. Johnson appears in this publication. CASTO E. JOHNSON. Among the substantial agriculturists that have come to this state from the middle west is Casto E. Johnson. who now has important ranching interests near Sunnyside. He was born in Hardin county, Iowa, July 31, 1861, of the marriage of Hugh and Ann (Macy) Johnson, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Indiana. They were among Iowa's early pioneers, having gone to that state in 1856, and there the father successfully followed farming throughout his active career. Both parents have now passed away but the old homestead is still in possession of the family, the two brothers of our subject owning the same, the farm having been in the family for seventy-two years, or since 1856. Casto E. Johnson was reared amid pioneer conditions and in the acquirement of his education attended the schools of his neighborhood. Ile subsequently thoroughly learned agricultural methods under the guidance of his father and later rented land in his native state for one year. For three years he engaged in farming in Fall River county, South Dakota, but at the end of that period returned to Iowa, where he was for three years engaged in carpenter work. In .August, 1893, he came to Yakima county, Washington, and acquired a relinquishment on a homestead five miles southwest of Sunnyside. He was among the first pioneers here and his land when it came into his possession was all sagebrush. Undiscouraged, he set himself to the task of placing it under cultivation and how well he has succeeded is evident from the improved appearance of the place, which is now one of the most valuable properties of the neighborhood. He has one hundred and ten acres in all and raises hay, corn and wheat, also giving close attention to hogs and deriving a gratifying addition to his income from this source. He has erected a substantial home and upon his place are found many other evidences of prosperity. On November 19, 1884, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Edith E. Hubbard, a native of Clinton county, New York, and a daughter of Jeremiah and Johanna (Brown) Hubbard. The parents removed to Wisconsin as pioneers and in 1870 took up their abode in Iowa, where both spent the remainder of their lives. The father was not only a successful agriculturist but also followed the blacksmith's trade, in which he was well trained. Both he and his wife were held in the highest esteem in the communities in which they resided. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson three children have been born: Harry, who married Winnie Smith, rents his father's farm in partnership with his brother. Harold Leighton married Gladys Woolliscroft, by whom he has one child, Jeannette. He is renting his father's farm in partnership with his brother Harry. Lenora Edith married Oscar Longnecker, who is engaged in ranching nearby, and they have a daughter, Ruth. Mr. Johnson and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they are helpfully interested. In his political affiliations he is independent, voting for the candidates whore he considers best fitted for the offices to which they aspire. He served for six years as school director and in many other ways has given evidence of his interest in affairs of local importance, readily giving his support to all movements for the growth and upbuilding of his district. Fraternally he is prominent in the Odd Fellows, having held all the chairs in the local lodge and having also acted as representative to the Grand Lodge in 1900 and 1902. His wife belongs to the Daughters of Rebekah and was a delegate to the state lodge at Bellingham in 1902 and at Walla Walla in 1903. Mr. Johnson is also connected with the Sunnyside Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. There is much that is commendable in his career, for he has attained to a substantial position in life entirely through his own efforts and, moreover, has set an example to a younger generation, showing what may be accomplished where there is the will to dare and to do. He has ever performed his tasks to the best of his ability and in the faithful performance of each day's work is to be found the solution for his successful career. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.