Joseph Montgomery Casey

As printed in 1905

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.

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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.

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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."

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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 Biographical review of Lee County, Iowa; (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.