Was burn in Trenton, Missouri, September 16, 1854. He is the son of Colonel John H. and Kitty Shanklin; was educated in the Trenton high school, and in 1873 began the study of law in his father’s office. Was admitted to the bar in 1877 and immediately began the practice of law at Jamesport, Missouri, where he remained until July, 1879, and then returned to Trenton and engaged in teaching in Grundy county. In 1881 he engaged in the life insurance business, and became district manager of the Centennial Mutual Life Association, of Burlington, Iowa.
September 19, 1877, he married Miss Dora A., daughter of O. G. Newton, of Trenton. They have two children, Alice and Floy. Mrs. Shanklin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Trenton. In 1880 be was the nominee of the Democratic party for county attorney of Grundy county but was defeated by a small majority.