I recently did some research on the Kaster Family and copied this:
Source: "History of Shelby Co., Indiana" by Hendricks (1887)
Brant & Fuller (Chicago)pp. 706-07
"Benjamin Kaster, one of the earliest settlers of Shelby County, was born February
17, 1791 and came from Ohio in March, 1819. He married Priscilla Brock while in Ohio. They
were the parents of fifteen children, as follows: William, Sarah, Elizabeth, Jackson,
Patsy, Benjamin, Nancy, Polly, Rebecca, Cynthia, Samuel, John, James, Francis, and Lewis.
Benjamin was a man of no education, but a sturdy, strong pioneer, a great hunter, and
during the first year's residence in this county, killed 100 deer. He died January 10,
1857. His wife was born March 16, 1796, and died September 24, 1865. Of the children there
are five yet surviving, four sons and one daughter. William was born April 16, 1814 in
Ohio. He remained with and assisted his parents, until he attained his majority. He
received no education. There were no schools for several years after they settled in the
county, but the county was a wilderness of woods, and he was compelled to assist in
clearing and farming. May, 1837, his marriage with Matilda Davis was solemnized, and their
union was blessed with one child: Hiram, who married Mary E. Fornian. He died January 5,
1873. Their union was of a comparative short duration, she died June 10, 1840. April 10,
1842, his and Margaret A. (Hines) Davis' nuptials were celebrated. Mr. Kaster has
always made farming his occupation, and he has been very successful. He now owns over
1,100 acres of well improved land. In politics he has always been a Democrat."
The 1850 census for Marion Tp., Shelby Co. lists a Fanetta Foreman with daughters, Mary A
age 10 and Sarah Ellen age 5 among other children. 1880 census lists Sarah E. as a widow
and she was born about the same year (1844 -45) as the Sarah Ellen Foreman in 1850. I
would guess that the writer of the above probably misidentified Hiram's wife and also
misspelled Foreman. Hiram is buried beside Benj. and Pris. at Marion Cem. His father was
their son William Kaster. So Hiram would be their grandson.
But I do believe from other census research that Rebecca Kaster was the daughter named in
the above account. Her brother John also married Rebecca Cook (1829-1906) and they are
buried at Marion Cem. Rebecca and Samuel Cook may have been related, as happened many
times. Cornelius and Mary Cook may have been their parents. In 1830 they were in Shelby
Tp. and had 4 boys and 3 girls. By 1840 they were in Marion Tp. and were the only Cooks
there.
Hope this helps.
Sharon Rensberger