Leslie Otto Caplinger was born February 2, 1879, on a farm seven miles southeast of Marion, the son of Theodore Perry Caplinger and Mary L. McDonald. Leslie was the great grandson of Solomon Caplinger, blacksmith and early settler to the Caplinger Pond area, just on the southeast outskirts of Marion.
The family was captured in the 1880 census, when Leslie was 1 year old and the family was living on a farm in the New Denison area. Later plat maps indicate the family’s 66 acre farm was just east of Route 166, near New Denison.
He was reared on the farm and attended Crab Orchard Academy from 1894 to 1898 where he completed the scientific course for teachers and the course in book-keeping. He taught in the rural schools of the county for seven years.
In the 1900 census, the family farm was noted to be in the Crab Orchard Township, likely still the same family farm near Denison. Leslie was then 21 years old and listed as a school teacher. His mother Mary was aged 43 and indicated that she had one child who survives, namely Leslie, their one and only.
In 1906 he was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk of Williamson County under Lewis Buchanan Pulley who served as circuit clerk from 1900 to 1912. Pulley was the first circuit clerk to hold the office three times in succession.
In 1909 or early 1910, Leslie married Lulu Blanche Pulley, the daughter of L.B. and Annie L. Pulley. Her father was the one whom Leslie served under as deputy circuit clerk.
By the 1910 census, Leslie 31 and Lulu 21 had bought a home located at 511 N. Logan Street in Marion. He is listed as deputy circuit clerk.
Leslie served as deputy until 1912 when he was elected circuit clerk. He was re-elected in 1916 and again in 1920, serving a total of 12 years till 1924. Also, in June of 1912, the couple had their only child, Walter Leslie Caplinger.
In September of 1918, when Leslie went to 201 ½ Public Square to register for WWI he was 39 years old. By this time the couple had sold their home on Logan Street and bought a home at 304 E. Marion Street where they would live permanently. Leslie was described as tall and slender with brown eyes and black and gray hair.
When the book “Williamson County in the World War” was published around 1919, the following article described Leslie, “For seven consecutive years now almost two terms, Leslie 0. Caplinger of Marion, has served the people of Williamson county as an efficient and careful circuit clerk, and ex-officio county recorder. It would be a task to find a more orderly circuit clerks’ office in all Illinois than Mr. Caplinger’s, for he is a man of method with a place for everything and insists always on everything being kept in its place. Abstractors and others who have frequent need to look over country records comment often on his excellent system maintained. He had excellent training for the position he now holds, for he served for six years, previous to being elected circuit clerk, in the office as a deputy. He was elected first in 1912, and again succeeded himself in the fall of 1916. His deputies are J. E. Mayer and Forrest McDonald.”
By the time the 1920 census was taken, Leslie had reached age 41, Lulu 31 and young Walter was aged 7. They own their home on East Marion Street free of mortgage. His wife’s parents, L.B. Pulley 63 and Annie L. Pulley 51, are living with them in their home.
During his term of office as a public official, Mr. Caplinger became associated with the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank becoming its vice president. After his retirement from office in 1924 he devoted his full time to the operation of the bank until its consolidation with the Marion State and Savings Bank.
After the suspension of the bank in 1930, he became president of the Williamson County Loan and Improvement Association, remaining with that organization until its liquidation. Since then he had operated his own insurance business in the Hotel State building.
In a 1922 directory, Leslie is listed as President of the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank. In the 1928 directory he is listed as cashier at the bank.
In the 1930 census, Leslie is 51 and Lulu is 41 and Walter is 17. Leslie is listed on the census as being an assistant cashier at the bank. They value their home at 304 E. Marion at $6,000.
By the next census in 1940, the couple devalued their home to $5,000. Leslie was then 61 and Lulu 51, Walter was married and living in Brea, California in Orange County.
In April of 1942, when Leslie registered for the WWII draft at 101 ½ W. Main Street, he was aged 63. He listed his employment as 504 Public Square in the Hotel State building where he operated an insurance company. His physical description was 5’ 11” tall, 153 lbs., gray hair, brown eyes and a dark complexion.
Politically, Mr. Caplinger was a Republican, and was untiring in his activities for the success of the party when elections rolled around. His church affiliations were with the Christian Church. It was said of him, “He was always a booster for his town and county, Mr. Caplinger was progressive and ready to do his “bit” in all public affairs.”
Leslie Caplinger died suddenly at 4:17 A.M. Tuesday, January 19, 1943, at his home at 304 East Marion Street. His death came as a shock to his family and many friends, since he had been in his usual good health until early Monday evening when he suffered a heart attack while taking a walk downtown as was his custom for many years.
Visiting the post office at 7 o’clock, the former county official walked down West Main Street to the C. & E.I. depot and had walked back to the Public Square when he suffered a heart attack while near the Powell’s Clothing store corner. He was taken to his home where he received medical treatment but succumbed to a second attack early Tuesday.
During his long public life, Mr. Caplinger became acquainted with thousands of people who grieved at his passing. He was a member of the Christian Church and numerous fraternal orders including the Marion Elks Lodge #800.
He was survived by his widow, the former Miss Lulu B. Pulley, and one son Walter L. Caplinger, who lived in California.
Funeral services were held at the Christian Church Friday afternoon with the pastor, Rev. Hubert L. Barnett in charge.
Mrs. Paul Jones and Miss Susan Edith Davis sang “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,” “He walks with me” and “There is No Night,” Miss Helen Longbons accompanied at the organ.
Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers were Eldridge Tidwell, Charles Otey, John Neely, David Warford, Carl Sorgen and Ronald Reinhart.
Mrs. Lulu Blanche (Pulley) Caplinger passed away while living at her sons home in LaHabra, California in Orange County on July 18, 1983.
Sam’s Notes:
Walter Leslie Caplinger was born June 6, 1912. He married Hilda L. Jewell on July 4, 1932 in Marion. They moved to Brea, California in Orange County. Walter was a pharmacist and passed away on June 19, 1995. They had two children; one of them was named Walter Lewis Caplinger (1934-2010).
(Data extracted from Pioneer Folks and Places, Barbara Barr Hubbs; Williamson County in the World War, 1919; Marion Daily Republican Obits and Funeral Notices; Federal Census Records; Illinois Death Records; Marion City Directories; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 11/09/2013)