When Francis Cathelyn was born on 6 November 1898, in Annawan, Henry, Illinois, United States, his father, Evo Cathelyn, was 30 and his mother, Ameilia Nellie Dollander, was 24. He married Louise J Doubler on 29 June 1922, in Henry, Illinois, United States. He lived in Alba Township, Henry, Illinois, United States for about 10 years and Atkinson, Henry, Illinois, United States in 1930. He died on 13 March 1979, in Henry, Marshall, Illinois, United States, at the age of 80, and was buried in Atkinson, Henry, Illinois, United States.