John Breckinridge Castleman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Breckinridge Castleman
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | June 30, 1841 Castleton Farm, Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
|
| Died | May 23, 1918 (aged 76) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
|
| Resting place | Cave Hill Cemetery Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) |
Alice Barbee Castleman
(m. 1868) |
| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America (1860–65) United States of America (1878–19??) |
| Confederate States Army U.S. Army |
|
| Rank | Major (CS Army) Brigadier general (US Army) |
| Unit | 2nd (Duke's) Cavalry Regiment Louisville Legion |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Spanish–American War Puerto Rico Campaign |
| Spouse(s) | Alice Barbee Castleman |
| Children | 2 |
| Signature | |
 |
|
John Breckinridge Castleman (born June 30, 1841 – died May 23, 1918) was an important person from Louisville, Kentucky. He was a soldier, a businessman, and a leader in his community. He served as an officer in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. Later, he became a brigadier general in the United States Army.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John B. Castleman was born in Kentucky in 1841. He was one of 11 children. His family was related to John C. Breckinridge, who later became the 14th U.S. Vice President. Before the Civil War, John Castleman studied law at Transylvania University.
Military Adventures
Joining the Confederate Army
When he was 19, John Castleman joined the Confederate Army. He helped gather 41 men from his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. They traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee, to join the Second Kentucky Cavalry. This unit was led by John Hunt Morgan.
Civil War and Exile
In 1864, Castleman became a major. He was involved in a plan to burn supply boats in St. Louis, Missouri. He was arrested in October 1864 and accused of spying. He was sentenced to death, but President Abraham Lincoln stopped the execution. After the war, Castleman was sent out of the United States. He went to France and studied medicine there. In 1866, President Andrew Johnson pardoned him, and he returned to Kentucky.
Serving the United States
In 1878, Castleman brought back the Louisville Legion, which was a local military group. He became Kentucky's adjutant general in 1883. During the Spanish–American War, his unit became the 1st Kentucky Volunteers. Castleman was made a colonel in the U.S. Army. His unit helped invade Puerto Rico. After the war, he was promoted to brigadier general. He even served as the military governor of Puerto Rico for a time.
Castleman also played a key role in keeping Kentucky peaceful during a difficult time. This was during the "Taylor-Goebel troubles" in 1900. Kentucky almost had another civil war after Governor William Goebel was shot. Castleman, as Adjutant General, helped prevent this.
Working for Social Change
Fairness for All Soldiers
During World War I, some people in the South debated whether African-American soldiers should be treated equally. General Castleman spoke out clearly. He said he would salute any officer, no matter their skin color, if they saluted him. He believed in following military rules and showing respect. He urged all soldiers to act as true soldiers, saying, "We are all one under the flag. We salute the rank, not the individual."
Supporting the African American Community
After his death, a newspaper article praised John B. Castleman for his support of the African American community in Louisville. J. Raymond Harris, an African American educator, wrote a tribute. He said that Castleman, even though he fought for the Confederacy, was highly respected by Black Kentuckians. Harris wrote that Castleman's kindness and willingness to help were genuine. He was not seeking popularity or personal gain.
Harris also noted that Castleman spoke up against unfairness towards African Americans. He worked for understanding and peaceful solutions.
Parks for Everyone
Another example of Castleman's fairness was his stance on public parks. A letter from 19 African American faith leaders in 1924 mentioned him. They wrote that Castleman, who helped create Louisville's park system, had always kept the parks open to everyone. He prevented them from being segregated by race during his lifetime.
Women's Right to Vote
Castleman and his wife, Alice Barbee Castleman, also supported the movement for women's voting rights. Alice was the first Vice President of the Kentucky Equal Rights Association in 1910 and 1911. John Castleman supported her efforts financially and emotionally. This was at a time when supporting women's suffrage was not popular and could even be dangerous. Alice Castleman was a delegate for the Kentucky Equal Rights Association. She worked to pass the "Susan B. Anthony Amendment," which became the 19th Amendment. This amendment gave women the right to vote.
Life After the Military
Starting a Business
In 1868, Castleman earned a law degree from the University of Louisville. He then married Alice Barbee. Together with his father-in-law, he started an insurance company called Barbee and Castleman. This company worked with the Royal Insurance Company of Liverpool in the Southern United States.
Developing Land
In 1870, Castleman bought a large piece of land near Louisville. He planned to build a country home there. But as Louisville grew, the land became very valuable for building new homes. This area later became the western part of Louisville's Tyler Park neighborhood.
Community Influence
Castleman never ran for political office himself. However, his reputation as a soldier and businessman gave him a lot of influence. He was a delegate at the 1892 Democratic National Convention. There, he helped Grover Cleveland get nominated for president.
He also had a big impact as Commissioner of the Board of Parks for over 25 years. During this time, he helped create Louisville's famous Olmsted Park system. These parks helped develop different parts of Louisville and became a cherished part of the city.
Some people have questioned how much credit Castleman deserves for the park system. They say that Andrew Cowan actually did more. Cowan first suggested the park system in 1887. He also invited Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous landscape architect, to Louisville. Some believe Castleman might have tried to take credit for Cowan's work.
In 1905, Castleman was a key supporter of the Fusionist Party in Louisville. This party fought against corruption. Even though they didn't win many elections, they helped bring about important changes to Louisville's election system.
Later Life and Legacy
John Castleman passed away on May 23, 1918. He and his wife, Alice, had two daughters, Alice and Elsie. He was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.
A statue of John B. Castleman was a well-known landmark in Louisville's Cherokee Triangle neighborhood. It showed him riding his horse, Carolina. The statue caused debate because of his service in the Confederate Army. However, he also served in the U.S. Army and showed fair views on race later in life. The statue was removed by the city on June 8, 2020. It will be moved to his burial site after being cleaned.
Castleman's own story, called Active Service, was published in 1917.
