Under the spellings Catlin, Catlyn and Catlyne, this family is found in England, dating from an early period. In America the name was sometimes spelled Catling, Ketling and Catlin. Thomas Catlin was of Hartford, Connecticut, as early as 1645-46. He was for many years constable, "one of the most honorable and trustworthy" offices of the colony. He was born about 1612, died 1690, and left a son John. This is the earliest recorded family, and from them descend a numerous progeny.
(I) Leonard Catlin died about 1855; he was a general merchant. He married and had issue.
(II) Charles Titus, son of Leonard Catlin, was born near Fort Ann, Washington county, New York, March 12, 1821, died January 7, 1898. He was always active in the Baptist church, and later in life became a minister of that denomination. He married Jane Amelia Morrison, born in West Troy, January 31, 1822, died December 7, 1879, daughter of ———— and Maria T. (Hart) Morrison.
(III) Charles Leonard, son of Charles Titus and Jane Amelia (Morrison) Catlin, was born in West Troy, New York, January 11, 1848. He was educated in the common and high schools of Troy, and was graduated at the latter with the class of 1864. He decided to follow his natural talent for music, and studied under Professor J. W. Andrews, Professor Charles W. Harris and Mrs. C. B. S. Cary. He gave particular attention to the pipe organ, conducted choruses and choirs, and when young taught music for a time. He was also a skilled performer on the piano, and was the composer of several well-known pieces of music: "The Russa March," an arrangement of the Lord's Prayer, a patriotic song, "Our Motto," "In God We Trust," all compositions of note. He also wrote the local song, "We Collar the World." In 1880 he was appointed cashier of Paul Hartwell & Company, of Troy He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Baptist church. He married, September 11, 1879, Mary Esther Husted (or Huested), born in Clifton Park, Saratoga county, New York, daughter of Jeremiah and Melissa (Wood) Husted, who were married January 9, 1850. Jeremiah Husted died June 12, 1897. His wife died March 13, 1902. He was a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Wicks) Husted, of Saratoga county. Charles L. and Mary E. (Husted) Catlin have a son, Charles Edward, born May 9, 1882. He is a graduate of Troy Academy, class of 1900, and of Albany Business College, 1903. He was private secretary to Palmer Ricketts, president of the Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute for a time, and occupied the same relation to Henry Russell, of Albany. Since 1904 he has filled an instructor's chair at the Albany Business College. He served in the State National Guard in Troop B of the cavalry. He is prominent in the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is a member of the Baptist church. He was one of the charter members of the Country Club of Waterford, also the Waterford Club.