My Genealogy Hound

JOHN L. CASTLEMAN, farmer, was born January 15, 1838, near his present home. He is the son of Robert and Artimenta (Reed) Castleman. The father is of Welsh descent, born 1814 in Wilson County, and was a tiller of the soil. His father, Jacob Castleman, was a native of North Carolina, and came to Wilson County, Tenn., about 1800. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Robert lived in his native county at the time of his marriage, which occurred in 1834. He settled five miles from Lebanon on the Murfreesboro Pike and bought 150 acres, and here he has since resided. He is one of Wilson County’s old citizens. He believed that a rolling stone gathers no moss, as he has never lived more than one mile from his birth-place, and never been farther than Nashville from home. The mother was born 1810 in Wilson County, and died September 2, 1885. They had three children, all of whom are living. Our subject received his education in the county schools of his native county, and in addition he attended the Cumberland University of Lebanon for one year. In 1859 he wedded Sarah J. Holloway, daughter of Ezekiel Holloway. Mrs. Castleman was born 1837 in Wilson County, and by her marriage to Mr. Castleman became the mother of three children: Jef L., Edward and Val. Mr. Castleman bought 140 acres near his old home place, where he has since resided. The Castleman family do not possess the disposition to be dissatisfied. They are content to live in Wilson County. In politics our subject is a Democrat. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, First Tennessee Regiment, but was soon changed to the Thirty-eighth Tennessee. He took an active part in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Corinth, and numerous minor engagements. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.