The Casey Family of Lee County, Iowa

HON. JOSEPH MONTGOMERY CASEY.

Hon. Joseph Montgomety Casey, three times elected district judge of the first judicial district of Iowa, was a prominent representative of the judicial,' of the state, but while his course upon the bench reflected credit and honor upon the district which honored him, it was his charming personality, his kindly spirit and abiding geniality that won him the friendship or love of all with whom he came in contact and causes his memory to be cherished by those with whom he was associated. He was descended from an old and distinguished southern family and the name figures in connection with the bench and bar of Kentucky. His grandfather, Col. William Casey, a native of Frederick county, Virginia, became a resident of Kentucky in the winter of 1779-80 and became one of the founders of Logan Station, near the present town of Stanford. His was a typical pioneer experience and he performed an important part in reclaiming the state from the domain of the Indian and converting it to uses of civilization. In the spring of 1791 he organized a party for colonization purposes and went down Green river to its mouth. Xot far distant a settlement was made and though considerable trouble was experienced because of Indian attacks, the brave pioneer people maintained their homes in the wilderness and planted the seeds of present progress and prosperity. Colonel Casey was one of the most influential residents of his part of the state and not only aided in holding public affairs in his district, but also assisted in forming the policy of the state. He was elected by a large majority a delegate to remodel the constitution of Kentucky in 1799 and was also chosen to other important positions. He died at an advanced age.

Green Casey, only son of Colonel Casey, who, however, had several daughters, was the first white child born in Adair county, Kentucky, and was reared amid pioneer environment. He married Miss Jane Patterson, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and in 1836 they became residents of Sangamon county. Illinois. Xot long afterward, \-visiting Iowa, then a territory, he secured a claim adjoining the tract on which the town of West Point was afterward built. He then returned, sold his Illinois home and was making preparations to become a resident of Iowa when his death occurred. Soon afterward, however, his widow carried out his plans of establishing the family home in West Point and with four of her children settled upon the land which her husband had secured. There she supervised the improvement of the farm and continued to make it her home until her death. Six children were born unto Green and Jane (Patterson) Casey, five of whom reached years of maturity: John A., who died in Kansas; Mary A., of this county; Margaret J., who became the wife of Albert U. Stone and died in Pekin, Illinois; William P., who died in Crawford county, Kansas, and Joseph M.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Visiting- Keokuk county in search of a favorable location. Judge Casey was urged by his many friends to become a resident of Lancaster, then the county seat, and he was offered the position of prosecuting attorney. Tlien visiting Lee county and making arrangements for his removal to Keokuk county, he was soon installed in an office in Lancaster, and, as promised received election to the position of prosecuting attorney, in which capacity he served, by re-election, for about six years. His election to the position of county judge followed soon after the reno\al of the county seat to Sigourney, he became a resident of that place and remained upon the bench until April, 1861, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial and based upon a comprehensi\e understanding of legal principles so that he won high encomiums from the members of the bar. He had also become interested in journalism, as an editor of the Iowa Democrat, but when two years had passed, desirous of making P'ort Madison his permanent home, he removed to this city, se\ering his connection with the journalistic and legal interests of Keokuk county. I Ic had won success as a leading and gifted lawyer and the circle of his friends in that county had become an extensive one. Locating in Fort Nhidison, because of the lack of legal business, occasioned by the Civil W'.ir. he became editor of the Fort Madison Plaindealer, but when three years had passed, he withdrew from the field of journalism in order to devote his entire attention to his legal practice, which grew in volume and importance until he was called to the bench and retired from general practice. His knowledge of the law and experience in practice soon won him a leading position in the ranks of the legal fraternity. His reputation at the bar was won through earnest, honest labor and his standing at the bar was a merited tribute to his ability. He soon secured a large practice and his careful preparation of cases was sup])lemented In* a power of argument and a forceful presentation of his points in the courtroom so that he never failed to impress court or juiy and seldom failed to gain the verdict desired. Higher honors in his profession awaited him, for in i88() he was elected to the bench of the first judicial district of Iowa, and after a four years' term was re-elected in 1890 and again in 1894. having just entered upon his third term when called from the duties of active lite. On the bench as at the bar he won marked distinction. man of unimpeachable character, of unusual intellectual endowments, with;i tlKiniugh understanding of the law. patience, urbanitv and industry, he took to the bench the very highest qualifications for the ofirce, and his record as a judge was in harmony with his record as a man and lawyer, distinguished by unswerving integrity and a masterful grasp of every problem which presented itself for solution.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

member of the masonic fraternity Judge Casey's connection was with Claypool Lodge. Xo. 13. Free and Accepted Masons: Potowonok Chapter. No. 28, Royal Arch Masons; Delta Commandery, No. 51, Knights Templar. He also belonged to Fort madison Lodge, No. ij. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was honored with various offices in these different organizations.

In 1854 Judge Casey was married to Mrs. Sarah Jane Ward Hollingsworth. who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1832. a daughter of Thomas and Jane 'ard. In 1850 she became the wife of Mr. Hollingsworth. who died the following year, and the son of that marriage, Albert E.. has always been known in I-'ort Madison by his step-father's name. Five children were born to them, of whom one died in infancy, the others being: Sabert M.; Belle wife of William S. Hamilton; Josei)h M. and Sarah.

Judge Casey died suddenly February 9, 1895, having just entered upon his third term as judge of the first judicial district. Perhaps no better estimate of his character can be given than that contained in the journals of that date, one of which said: "Judge Casey was a man among men and his friends were numbered only by the limit (if his acquaintance. He was big hearted, kind to everyone, pleasant in conversation and was loved by all. He was ever affable and obliging. As an attorney his opinions were highly \-valued. His aim has always been to put forth his best efforts for his clients and was ever opposed to the practice of dishonesty or deception for the winning of a case when it could not be won on its merits. In fact he was a man of principle. As a judge he was always fair and unbiased in his opinions and possessed rare legal ability. He was probably the greatest brain worker in the state of Iowa, Always at his office in the early morning he read his newspaper and kept well in touch with the doings of the world through that medium and would then sit for hours at a time looking up decisions and references or reading law and seemed to be wholly taken up with his profession. He was a deep reasoner; in argument forcible in expression, convincing in tone and impressive in manner. His sudden death is a severe loss to his family and friends, his constituency of the district, the bar of the state and the public in general."

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Faultless in honor, fearless in conduct, stainless in reputation, — such was his life record. His scholarly attainments, his statesmanship, his reliable judgment and his charming powers of conversation would have enabled him to ably fill and grace any position, however exalted, and he was no less honored in public than loved in private life.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SABERT M. CASEY.

.Sahert M. Casey, occupying a prominent position at the bar and in public regard, was born at Sigouniey, Keokuk county. Iowa, on the 28th of August. 1858, a son of Judge

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr. Casey was actively concerned in matters of public affairs and in fact a deeper or more helpful interest in community affairs. He was opposed to misrule in municipal interests, favored reform and progress and at all times gave hearty cooperation to those movements which tend toward public good. In politics a Democrat, he held the office of city clerk in Fort Madison for several years, beginning in ]\march, 1 88 1. He was a candidate for congress in 1896, but could not overcome the strong Republican majority. although he polled a large and complimentary vote. For six years he was a member of the school board and the cause of education has materially advanced by his unremitting efforts in behalf of the schools. For several years prior to his death he was a member of the board of trustees and the president of the Cattermole Memorial Library. He was distinctively a man of affairs and the people acknowledged his ability and worth by electing him as the leading spirit in any movement that tended toward the advancement of the city, morally and socially. He was. however, compelled to refuse many positions of honor tendered him because his large law practice would not permit him to give the necessary time. However, to his enterprise and public-spirit are largely due the Cattermole library and the lecture courses as well as many other enterprises of literary merit and profit. He had the entire respect and esteem of his community and his friends recognized in him the possession of many sterling traits of character.

Socially Mr. Casey was a Knight Templar, belonging to Delta Commandery. Xo. 51. Knights Templar; the Mystic Shrine and the Order of the Eastern Star, acting as grand patron of bDwa in the last named for one year, and he belonged to Claypoole Lodge, Xo. 13. Free and Accepted Masons, and to Potowonok Chapter. Xo. 28. Royal Arch Masons. He was likewise a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias fraternity; Fort Madison Lodge, Xo. 347. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks: the Modern Woodmen of America and others. He manifested in his life the beneficent, helpful and brotherly spirit which is the basic element of these various organizations. At his death which occurred on the 20th of August, 1903. resolutions of respect and sympathy were passed by many societies of which he was an honored representative. Meeting's were held by the bar associations of otli Keokuk and Fort Madison, at which the following resolution was reported and unanimously adopted:

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

"Resolved, That we deeply mourn the death of our friend, associate and brother member of the Lee County Bar; that we recognize and bear testimony to his moral, upright life, his untiring activity and zeal as a citizen in all public affairs for the welfare of this city and county, his uniformly kindly disposition to all and especially to his associates in his profession.

"Resolved, That in his death our profession has lost a member who from his early manhood was prominent in our ranks; that our city has lost an active and progressive worker in its higher interests; that the county has lost one whom the people delighted to honor; and the great public has lost one who always sympathized with its best interests, who was active and efficient in the conduct of its affairs, and whose labors were made all the more effective by reason of his strong and noble character, his kind and charitable disposition and his willingness at all times to expend his strength and means for the public and private welfare of others."

Xo one is heard to speak of Sabcrt M. Casey except in terms of praise for in all life's relations he commanded the highest confidence. He used his power to the best ability and possessed laudable ambition, unfaltering courage and strong determination and in his calling he won.success that ranked him with the leading members of the Iowa l>ar. lie had a wide acquaintance in legal circles through the state and the Burlington Gazette said of him: "In the death of Mr. Case\' the profession loses one of its brightest ornaments, the district one of its best citizens and the community in which he lived one of its most honored members. All who had the pleasure of his acquaintance knew him onto honor and respect him. lie was a nuxst courteous and agrecal)le companicjn. an intelligent and interesting associate and withal a highly agreeable and entertaining member of any society where his presence was met. Sabert M. Casey's memory will long be cherished and honored by those who knew him in this part of the state, Ijccause he was always courteous, and no one parted with his company without feeling that his association had cast a pleasant shadow upon the surroundings."

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH M. CASEY, M. D.

Dr. Joseph M. Casey, an alumnus of the Rush Medical College of Chicago, has since his graduation, in 1888, been continuously engaged in practice in Fort Madison, his native city, and his record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in the city of his birth and where his entire life has been spent, Dr. Casey has won high place as a physician of marked ability and power. He was born on the 3d of August, 1865, and is a son of Joseph M. and Sarah J. (Ward) Casey. The father, who was born in Adair county, Kentucky, in 1827. came of ScotchTrish ancestry. He came to Iowa with his mother, his father having previously died in the early "40s, the family home being established at West Point, where the grandmother of Dr. Casev passed away in the early '50s.

Joseph M. Casev, continuing his residence in this state, studied law under judge Kinney at West Point, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in the '80s. Having thus qualified for practice, he removed to Keokuk county, where he lived for a number of years, and in 1861 returned to Lee county, settling in Fort Madison. He at once entered upon practice here and it was not long before his ability to cope with intricate problems of the law became recognized and brought to him a liberal and growing clientage. He won many notable cases and his knowledge recommended him for judicial honors, so that he was elected to the office of district judge and served upon the bench through the last fifteen years of his life. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial, and he became one of the foremost representatives of the judiciary in eastern Iowa. He died in 1895 and for about fifteen years was survived by his wife, who passed away in 1910. Judge Casev was not only prominent in connection with professional interests, but also did much to shape the political policy of county and state. He was chosen to represent his district both in the house of representatives and in the senate and left the impress of his individuality upon the laws enacted while he was connected with the state legislature. He was also mayor of Fort Madison in the years 1870 and 1871 and labored for municipal progress and advancement with the same thoroughness that he manifested in his work as a general assemblyman.

Dr. Casev is one of a family of two sons and three daughters, of whom three are vet living. After completing his public-school education he decided upon the practice of medicine as a life work and with that end in view entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1888. He then located for practice in his native city, where he has since remained. In 1901 he pursued post-graduate work in New York Polyclinic and he has always continued a close and discriminating student of his profession, reading broadly in his leisure hours and thus continually advancing his knowledge of the various branches of the medical profession. He has been president of the Fort Madison Medical Society, and vice president of the Lee County Medical Society, and he is now physician for the board of health.

On the 23d of December, 1895, Dr. Casey was married to Miss Sarah Zilla Johnson, a daughter of Nelson and Nancy (Porter) Johnson. In early life her father came to Lee county and for several years was superintendent of the public schools of Fort Madison. Later he established a business college, which he conducted until 1 91 3. Dr. and Mrs. Casey became parents of two children, of whom one has passed away, while the other, Robert S., is in school. Dr. Casey belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high rank, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He gives his political support to the democratic party, and his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church, the teachings of which have guided him in his life's relations and gained him as high standing as a man and citizen as he has won in his profession through his able practice of medicine and surgery.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH M. CASEY, M. D.

Dr. Joseph M. Casey, one of the leading physicians of Fort Madison with offices in the County Savings Bank building, was born in this city August 3, 1865, and is a son of Hon. Joseph M. Casey, who is represented elsewhere in this work. The public schools afforded him his literary education and after completing the high school course by graduation he entered upon the study of medicine under the direction of F. C. Roberts, of Fort Madison, with whom he continued for some time. He then matriculated in Rush Medical College of Chicago and was graduated with the class of 1888. Returning immediately to Fort Madison, he again entered the office of Dr. Rolierts, with whom he remained for about three years, during which time he gained valuable, practical experience, thus putting to the test his theoretical knowledge. He then opened an office and has since remained alone engaged in general practice, in which he has been Aery successful, viewing from both a business and professional standpoint. He has pursued a post-graduate course in the New

York Polyclinic and has been a constant student of the science of medicine, carrying his investigations far and wide in order that he might promote his efficiency and render his labors of greater value in the important calling which he has chosen as a life work. In 1893-4 he was the physician for the penitentiary located at Fort Madison and was also physician of the board of health of this city for three years. At one time he practiced in Old Mexico for a little more than a year, being located at Cedral Coahuila as mine physician. He belongs to the Lee County Medical Society, the State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Tri-State Medical Association, of which he is one of the charter members while at its organization he was elected the junior vice-president.

Dr. Casey was married December 23. 1895. at Fort Madison, to Mi.ss Sarah Zillah Johnson, a daughter of Professor Nelson Johnson. She was educated in Fort Madison and is well known in social circles. She also received a musical education in St. Louis. Of the two children born of this marriage one died in infancy, while the other is Robert Sabert Casey, now seven years of age. Dr. and Mrs. Casey hold membership in the Episcopal church and he belongs to Claypoole Lodge, No. 13, Free and Accepted IVLisons; Potowonok Chapter, Royal Arch I\L-sons. No. 28; Delta Commahdery, No. 5 1, Knights Templar, and the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never had aspiration for office. Community interests, however, elicits his attention and receive his support and he favors every movement calculated to benefit his city. He is now president of the board of trustees of the Cattermole Memorial Library of Fort Madison. His home located at No. 932 Fourth street is one of the handsome residences of the city.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.