William McCaslin, deceased.—Among the citizens of Johnson County, Ind., probably no one was more prominent than the one whose name heads this biographical sketch. He was born in Virginia, February 7, 1817, and was the son of natives of Virginia. The parents removed from Virginia to Mercer County, Ky., and from there came to Johnson County, Ind., in about 1827. At that time the subject of this sketch was about ten years of age, and he was given a common school education, and when a young man taught school. He was possessed of a fine business education, which he secured in practical business pursuits, and was recognized as one of the ablest financiers of the county. He remained on the farm until 1860, and then removed to Franklin, where he resided until his death, which occurred June 5, 1883. He was a Christian in the true sense of the word, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church, of Franklin, and for several years led the choir of the same. He began life with a farm of eighty acres, given him by his father, and as evidence of his financial ability it is only necessary to state that he left an estate valued at about $50,000. His nature was charitable, and many needy persons were the recipients of his generous bounty. As a citizen he was progressive and enterprising, and always stood in the front row, when a move was made toward advancement of the town and county. He was united in marriage three times. The first time was in 1838, when he was married to Charity Vannuys, who died April 11, 1839, aged twenty-two years. His second marriage, was solemnized on November 1, 1839, to Cynthia (King) Shafer, who was born October 21, 1814, and died March 2, 1878. To this marriage three children were born: V. Brainard, born November 2, 1840, died June 6, 1860; Elizabeth A., born July 11, 1843, and died September 24, 1845, and B. K., born April 28, 1849, and died September 4, 1850. He was married the third time on December 25, 1879, to Marguerite Mullen, who was born near Carlisle, Pa., May 7, 1838, and is the daughter of Sampson and Sarah (Golden) Mullen, of Welsh and Irish descent, respectively. Both parents died when their daughter was a child, she being but two years of age at the death of her father, and six at the death of her mother. Mrs. McCaslin was married to our subject in Thomasville, Ga., where she was spending the winter season, her home being at the time in Minneapolis, Minn. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has a large circle of friends in Franklin. Mrs. McCaslin’s portrait appears in this volume.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 634.