WILLIAM McCASLAND, a well-known, wide-awake farmer of West Bethlehem township, was born February 20, 1840, upon the old homestead in that township, a son to Matthew McCasland, who was born in 1802 in County Derry, Ireland, and died June 18, 1883. When twenty years of age the father left the "Emerald Isle," coming first to Quebec, Canada, then to Washington county, Penn. He began to work at the tailor's trade in Monongahela, and continued in that business there and in other cities for many years. He then purchased the farm which is now the home of his son, and spent the remainder of his life in agriculture. He wedded Sibbie Wilson Moore, September 10, 1825, daughter of James Moore, of West Bethlehem township, and the children born to them were: Martha (deceased), Catherine (deceased), Sarah, Hugh (deceased), Henderson and William. Matthew McCasland was a Democrat, and, although not an active politician, he was ever on the alert to the interests of his party. His wife, who died August 20, 1879, was a member of the Lutheran Church. William McCasland received a limited education in the common schools of the neighborhood of his place of birth, but is a well-informed man, fond of reading. He managed the home farm some years previous to the death of his father, and has always been a successful business man, practicing in every-day life the principles of honor which he believes to be the only foundation of true success. He was married November 23, 1876, to Miss Martha Shrontz, and they have two children: Robert Wilson and Viola Rebecca. Mr. McCasland is a Democrat, and has served as school director for his township. He and his family are members of the Disciple Church at Lone Pine. Mrs. Martha McCasland was born September 20, 1846. Her grandfather, Frederick Shrontz, came to Pennsylvania from Germany, when a youth, and married Elizabeth Shidlen. Her parents were George and Rebecca (Carter) Shrontz. Rebecca is the daughter of John and A. (McFarland) Carter. Her husband died in April, 1885.

Text taken from page 458 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed June 1997 by Paula Talbert of Caldwell, OH as part of the Beers Project. Published July 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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