HON, JOSEPH M. CASEY

CASEY, PATTERSON, WARD

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/29/2020 at 15:11:26

HON, JOSEPH M. CASEY—The subject of this sketch, Joseph M. Casey, was born March 25, 1827, in Adair County, Ky. His parents were Green Casey and Jane Patterson. He was the youngest of six children. His grandfather was one of the pioneers of Kentucky, and his father was the first male child born in Adair County. His mother was a native of Rockbridge County, Virginia. His parents were people of education, and earnest members of the Presbyterian church. They were in moderate circumstances, and as his father died when Joseph was but eleven years of age, his early education was merely of the academical course. It may be termed as thorough as the high-school of the present day. Having finished his education at the early age of seventeen, he began the reading of law in the office of Judge John F. Kinney, who was then prominent in the County of Lee and State of Iowa as a jurist, and who afterwards wore the ermine of a judge on the supreme bench. Young Casey pursued diligently and thoroughly a course of study under the advice and direction of Judge Kinney for a space of three years, and was then admitted to practice in the courts of Iowa in the year 1847. He was at this time in his twentieth year, and located in Keokuk County. He pursued his practice in Keokuk County till April 12, 1861, and met with great success. He this year moved to Fort Madison, where he has since resided. It may be in taste to here observe that Mr. Casey preferred the romantic scenery of a city overlooking the “father of waters,” and in leaving Keokuk County left behind him hosts of admirers and a very lucrative practice. In 1854 he was married to Sarah I. Ward, a native of Ohio, whose parents were Thomas and Nancy Ward. He has had five children who are all living but one. In January, 1860, he was elected County Judge of Keokuk County. In politics he has always been a strong Democrat, and voted first for Gen. Cass, and for Stephen A. Douglas. He was during the civil war in favor of a restoration of peace by force of arms, and admired the sentiment of Judge Douglas when he declared in his Springfield speech at the iniation of the civil contest that “the surest road to peace is in the most stupendous preparation for war.” Although the Judge’s attention has been mainly engrossed with his large law practice, he has yet found time to attend to journalism. He was the editor of the Iowa Democrat in Keokuk County for two years, and was afterwards editor of the Fort Madison Plain Dealer for three years. He has always taken a great interest in educational matters, and has been prominent in his interest and influence in the Masonic fraternity. He has been honored with the highest office of the craft, and as Royal Arch Mason is acknowledged to have no superior. He has also held the office of High Priest for three consecutive years; also a member of Excelsior Council. His love of the society was initiated in 1855. In society the Judge is very pleasant, courteous, and affable. His mind is of a decided mathematical turn. His arguments before the courts, and especially before the Supreme bench, have been termed by superior jurists as rather models of logical strength than literary elegance. It is very evident that he is firm and inflexible in what he believes to be right. His manner and style in society is rather of that school that has so long been a distinguishing characteristic of the people of the West and South. The Judge has been mayor of Fort Madison three terms. His life has been passed in the interest of his fellow beings. It may be in taste to remark that he has always been ready to place his abilities where they could do the most public good. He is a man very much respected for his talents and public spirit. His health at the date of our writing this sketch is good, and his appearance plainly indicates a sound mind in a sound body.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer