Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 369

HON. JEROME CARSKADDAN, and early and prominent member of the Muscatine bar, was born near Seneca Falls, Seneca Co., N. Y., on the 6th of November, 1829. His parents, Harvey and Susan ( Barker ) Carskaddan, were also natives of the Empire State. His father was a lineal descendant of Robert Carskaddan, who was a pioneer settler and large land-owner at Newburg, on the Hudson, in the early Colonial times. His mother was descended ffrom an old New England family, her ancestors having emigrated from England to the American Colonies in the days of the early Puritans.

Jerome Carskaddan received a liberal education in his youth. He attended Hamilton College at Clinton, N.Y., and was graduated from that institution in the class of ' 51, after which he entered upon the study of law at Oneida, Madison Co., N.Y., and was admitted to the bar at the general term of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, held in Delaware County in the spring of 1853. The same year he came to Muscatine, Iowa, and in the company of T. M. Williams bought out the Democrat Inquirer, which he edited and published about two years, when he sold out and formed a law partnership with E. H. Thayer. That connection continued until Mr. Thayer was elected County Judge,in 1857. Mr. Carskaddan was elected Prosecuting Attorney the same year, was re-elected and served two terms. In 1861 he was the choice of the people for County Judge, which office he held until June, 1864, when he resigned. On the 1st of December, 1863, he formed a law partnership with DeWitt C. Richman (late Judge of the Circuit Court), under the firm name of Richman & Carskaddan. This proved one of the most successful law firms in Eastern Iowa, and secured a large and lucrative practice. They continued business together for a period of fifteen years, or until the election of Judge Richman to the bench. Their business and social relations were exceptionally pleasant, and each of these worthy men still cherishes for the other the warmest sentiments of respect and esteem. Since 1878 Judge Carskaddan has pursued the practice of his profession alone.

May 1, 1854, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Marilla Brown, a daughter of Clark Brown, of Morrisville, Madison Co., N. Y. Two children were born of their union, a son and a daughter. The son, Paul, a bright and promising youth of fifteen years, was drowned in the Muscatine Slough, while skating in company with a schoolmate about his own age, William Robertson, a son of Dr. Robertson. The boys had started down the slough below Musserville, and were separated from their companions by a curve of the shore. While the ice was generally safe, they seem to have skated onto a small circular space, where, by the action of a warm spring, the ice was very thin, and both were drowned without attracting attention, as there were none within sight or hearing of them. Paul was born April 14, 1861, and was drowned Nov. 27, 1875. The daughter, Miss Gertrude, and her mother are members of the Episcopal Church.

Judge Carskaddan is an earnest Republican in politics, and joined that party at the time of its organization, his first vote being for Fremont and Dayton in 1856, and he has continued to support and vote with that party to this date. In 1863, on forming his partnership with Judge Richman, they were appointed attorneys for the Chicago & Rock Island Railway Company, and held that position during their connection in business. Since 1878 Mr. Carskaddan has held that position individually. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, of which he is local attorney. When the Muscatine Waterworks was organized he was chosen a member of its Board of Directors, and was elected Secretary, which position he has held continuously since.

Our subject has won a foremost place in the bar of Iowa, and is recognized as a leading lawyer in the State. Socially, and in business, he is held in the highest esteem for his high order of talent and many excellencies of character.


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