Tyndall, John W. Standard history of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1918, p. 637-8.

EDGAR N. CASSELL. The agricultural development of any county or township does not depend upon the efforts of any one individual, but results from the combined labors and enterprise of many. There are, however, usually a few who are leaders and who know best not only how to utilize their own labors but to so direct the energies of others as to produce results of far-reaching importance in agricultural life. Among those who are prominently connected with movements making for progress in Chester Township, Wells County, one who is well known, is Edgar N. Cassell, whose finely developed farm is located on Poneto Rural Route No. 1.

Edgar N. Cassell was born at Hartford City, Indiana, July 23, 1874, a son of Dr. G. W. and Arabella (Moorman) Cassell. The family was one of the most prominently known at Hartford City, which was laid out by Abram Cassell, the grandfather of Edgar N., in the capacity of county surveyor of Blackford County, Indiana. Abram Cassell had come as a pioneer to Blackford County and owned much land in the locality in which Hartford City was situated. He rounded out his life in agricultural pursuits and became one of the well-to-do men of his community. Dr. G. W. Cassell was born at Hartford City, was thoroughly prepared for the profession of medicine, and for many years practiced as a physician and surgeon. During a long period he practiced at Hartford City, where he was widely and favorably known, but in later years centered his professional business in the communities of Keystone and Poneto, and his death occurred at Hartford City, Indiana. Doctor Cassell was one of the skilled men of his calling and was highly regarded by his professional associates and by the public in general. His ability and industry combined to gain him a handsome material competency, and at his death his property was divided among his children. He was a church member, and in addition to the organizations of his calling belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Of his six children three are living at this time: Edgar N.; Ida, who is the wife of Guy Mahoney of Hartford City, Indiana; and Bonnie, the wife of Jesse Craft, also of that city.

Edgar N. Cassell was reared at Hartford City, in Chester Township, and at Keystone and Poneto, and attended school in all of these communities. While his father was a professional man, the family home on a farm during a large part of the time, and thus it was that Edgar N. Cassell grew up more as an agriculturist than anything else and that he turned his attention naturally to that vocation when he entered upon his life's work. When still a young man he was united in marriage with Miss Blanche Starr, daughter of B. F. Starr, and they have since resided on the old Starr homestead place, which had been originally settled by Mrs. Cassell's grandfather, B. F. Starr, Sr. Mr. Cassell carries on general farming, but like many others in the county specializes to some extent, particularly in the way of breeding Aberdeen-Angus cattle. Of this stock he has a herd of twenty head, aat the head of which is the individual Duck Creek Phelps. He has also other good grades of stock, and is a director in the Farmers Co-Operative Elevator Company at Poneto, and a director in the Farmers State Bank, of eh he was one of the organizers. In politics he is a republican, but not active.

Mr. and Mrs. Cassell are the parents of three children: Mazie, a graduate of the Hartford City High School, class of 1917; and Madge and George, who are both attending the Keystone High School.