Indiana McCaslins

From "The History of Johnson County Indiana 1888" by Judge Banta:
"Thomas H Alexander was born in Green [sic] County, Tenn., May 12, 1828, son of George and Margaret (Farnsworth) Alexander. His father, also a native of Green County, Tenn., was born in 1800, and died in Johnson County, August 23, 1873. His mother was born in the same part of Tennessee, about 1802, and died in 1846. About 1832 the family came to Johnson County, and settled in Franklin Township. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and educated at the country schools. At nineteen years of age he began life as a farm hand, which he continued two years, and then learned the blacksmith's trade, and for five or six years was engaged in that business. Mr. Alexander first began farming in Franklin Township, and about eighteen years ago removed to his present farm in Needham Township, the same containing 615 acres. He is one of the most extensive and prosperous farmers in this locality. Mr. Alexander was married, in 1851, to Miss Sarah McCaslin, a native of Johnson County, born August 22, 1828. They have these five children: Mary, Alice, Margaret, George L. and Hattie. In politics, he has been an ardent republican since the days of John C. Fremont. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander are among the old settlers of this county, and are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of which he is an elder."
Transcribed by Lois Johnson

In the 1850 US Federal Census for Franklin, Johnson, Indiana, Thomas H Alexander, a 22-year-old blacksmith, is living with 42-year-old David Alexander (blacksmith born in Tennessee), David's 45-year-old wife, Isobel (born in Virginia) and their children, 17-year-old John (blacksmith born in Tennessee), 15-year-old Thomas D (blacksmith born in Indiana) and 1-year-old William A (born in Indiana). David may be Thomas' uncle.

In the 1860 US Federal Census for Franklin, Johnson, Indiana, 32-year-old Thomas H Alexander is now a farmer with $3,780 worth of real estate and $1,800 of personal property. He, his 31-year-old wife Sarah (McCaslin) Alexander and their two children, 6-year-old Mary E and 2-year-old Margaret E are living next door to her brother John McCaslin and John's wife Martha J (Alexander) McCaslin who is Thomas' sister.

In the 1870 US Federal Census for Franklin, Johnson, Indiana, 42-year-old Thomas H Alexander is recorded as a farmer although he has no real estate. He does have $14,760 worth of personal property. Thomas and his 41-year-old wife Sarah have in their household their children, 16-year-old Mary E, 12-year-old Margaret E, 8-year-old Sarah E [Alice], 7-year-old George and 4-year-old Hattie. John and Martha McCaslin are no longer living next door.

Thomas H Alexander has the following listing in 'The People's Guide, Johnson County, 1874":
Alexander, Thos. H.; farmer; 2 m s e Franklin. Born in Tenn. 1828; settled in J. C. 1832. Rep. Cumberland Presby.

In the 1880 US Federal Census for Franklin, Johnson, Indiana, 53-year-old farmer Thomas H Alexander and his 52-year-old wife Sarah have in their household their children, 26-year-old widow Mary (Alexander) Devore, 21-year-old Mary [should be Margaret from her age] 19-year-old Alice [who should be Sarah E from her age], 16-year-old George and 14-year-old Hattie, and 26-year-old Arch Turner, their hired man.

In the 1900 US Federal Census for Needham, Johnson, Indiana, 72-year-old farmer Thomas Alexander and his 71-year-old wife Sarah have been married for 49 years. She has borne seven children and four are still living. In their household is their 34-year-old widowed daughter Hattie (Alexander) Devore and their granddaughter 13-year-old Clara Devore.

Thomas Henry Alexander died 29 Oct 1901 in Needham, Johnson, Indiana and was buried 31 Oct 1901 in Greenlawn Cemetery, Section Payn, Row 14, Stone 1 (Find A Grave Memorial# 82133866), Johnson County, Indiana.

Indiana State Board of Health, Certificate and Record of Death No. 4 records that Thomas Alexander died 29 Oct 1901 at 2:00 a.m. in Needham Township, Johnson County of angina pectoris caused by arterio-capillary fibrosis, aged 73 years, 5 months and 17 days. He was male, white, married and a farmer, born in Green County, Pennsylvania. His parents were George Alexander and Margaret Farnsworth (both born in Tennessee). The informant was R. A. Alexander. Thomas was buried 31 Oct 1901 in Franklin, Indiana, E. G. Barnhizer, undertaker