Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-01-20
RESPECTED BY ALL.
Death of Ex-Governor
William CASTOR.
HAD HELD MANY OFFICES.
His Record as a Statesman and Lawyer Was
Without a Blemish.

Boston, Jan. 20.-Ex-Governo william
CASTOR died yesterday morning at his
home, 179 Marlboro street, after gradual
decline in health extending back several
years. He was not suffering from any
special ailment other than the natural
enfeebling of his powers due to age and
constitution. He gave up active work two
or three years ago, although he was fire.
quently to be found at his sons law Office,
2S School street.
Mr.. CASTOR was the son Of Alexander
and Kesia (Arnold) CASTOR, and was born
In Killingly, Conn.,, Oct 3, 1920. On the
paternal side he was a descendant from
John CASTOR, born in France, probably
about the year l600 Huguenot, who
was banished Oh account of his religion,
and settled in Scotland; and on the ma
ternal side from Thomas Arnold, who,
England in 1896.
William Gaston's father was we'll
known merchant of Connecticut and was
for many years in the legislature. as was
his father before him. With his parents
William CASTOR moved TO Roxbury (now
part of Boston, in the summer of 1888.
Brooklyn, Conn, the Plainfield academy
and Brown university, which he entered
st the age of Is. Graduating In 1910, he
at once began his law studies He was
admitted to the bar in 1874.
His Political Career.
Mr.. CASTOR was city solicitor of Rox-
bury for five years, and in 1861 and 1862
mayor Of the city; and after the annexa-
ton of Roxbury to Boston he was mayor
of Boston In 1871 and 1872. In 1853 and
1854 he was elected TO the legislature as a
Wing and reelected in 1856 by fusion Of
Wings and Democrats, In opposition to
the Know-Nothing candidate. In 1868 he
was elected as q Democrat 70 the senate.
In 1874 he was nominated by the Demo
crats against Governor Talbot, and was
elected by over 1000 plurality. His adj
ministration was a very conservative one.
In 1870 he was candidate for congress,
but failed of an election. In 1875 Har-
ward university and Brown university
conferred upon him the degree OF LII. ID.
MI. Castor was married May q, 1852, to
Miss Louisa A. Beecher. They had one
daughter and two sons-Sarah, William
and Theodore. Theodore, born in 1861.
died In 1859.
In Law.
Mr.. CASTOR early took rank as one of
the leading lawyers at the bar His
practice was not confined to any depart
ment Of the law-he was distinguished in
all. Criminal practice he had little taste
for. AS real estate lawyer he had but
few equals, and In cases Of contract and
tort he was remarkably successful.
His zeal in defending the interests Of
his clients, and his implicit faith In the
righteousness of their cause, frequently
led him TO conduct their cases to sue
cessful conclusion when he had little hope
Of reward.
Although not what might strictly be
termed student, he had profound
knowledge OF the law, which he seemed
to acquire instinctively and intuitively.
1t is safe to say that he never know >ngly
aided any one by his advice in evadng
the law or countenanced the use of the
courts as instruments OF oppression. Any
suggestion of trickery or double dealing
called forth his most emphatic condemna-
ton.
The poor and the friendless always
found him kind and courteous counsel
lor, ready at all times TO patiently listen
to their complaints and advise them for
their good. He discouraged lawsuits as
an evil to be avoided, IL possible, and so
advised his clients, however large their
prospective retainers might be.