CASEY, James G.

CASEY, NIMS, KELLEY, DOYLE

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 6/27/2009 at 20:24:23

Commercial enterprises in Osage find a worthy representative in James G. Casey, who was born in Floyd county, Iowa, March 6, 1880, a son of P. F. and Kitty (Doyle) Casey, both of whom were natives of Wisconsin. The father was born in Portage, that state, and came to Iowa in 1877. He devoted his life to the occupation of farming and thus provided a comfortable living for his family. He was an active politician and was a candidate for the office of state representative at one time. He was a supporter of the Catholic church and was interested in all that pertained to the material, political, social and moral welfare of the community. He died in 1893. His widow survives him and is living in Mason City. They were the parents of five children: Phillip, who has passed away; James G.; Mrs. Rebecca Kelley, living in Mason City; John V., whose home is at Strawberry Point, Iowa; and William, living in Mason City.

James G. Casey pursued his education in the schools of Floyd county and Dubuque, supplemented by a commercial course in Charles City. He completed his study in a business college by graduation with the class of 1899 and made his initial step in the business world by entering the employ of the James A. Smith Lumber Company, with which he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he began farming upon the old homestead and devoted eight years of his life to the further cultivation and development of that place. In 1910 he took up his abode in Osage, establishing the implement business that is now conducted under the firm style of Casey & Company. They carry a large line of farm implements and heavy farm machinery, and are conducting a business of gratifying and growing proportions. Mr. Casey has an interest in the home farm but concentrates his attention largely upon his implement business. The firm of Casey & Company have established branches, opening a store at New Haven in the spring of 1909 and one in Floyd, Iowa, in the spring of 1912. Their business has prospered from the beginning and is now one of large volume and of gratifying profit.

In 1908 Mr. Casey was married to Miss Nina A. Nims, who was born in Floyd county, Iowa, in 1883, a daughter of W. J. Nims, now of Osage. Mrs. Casey was the second in order of birth in a family of three children, and by her marriage has become the mother of two sons, Joseph B., who was born June 9, 1912, and James V., born September 22, 1914.

In his political views Mr. Casey is a stalwart democrat but has never been an office seeker. He is a member of the Catholic church of Osage and has membership with the Knights of Columbus of Mason City. His entire life has been passed in Iowa and through much of the period he has been a resident of Osage, where in a business way he has made substantial progress, his activities being of a character that have contributed to the upbuilding of the community as well as to his individual success. He is courteous, obliging and genial, and he has won a host of warm friends during his residence in Mitchell county.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 59.