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Mr. And Mrs. Peter B. Casey Among the pioneer settlers of Reynolds County a Mr. And Mrs. Peter B. Casey of Redford. Uncle Peter was born in Jefferson County, Illinois, January 30, 1832. He came with his parents to Missouri and settled in Oregon County in 1840, and remained in that county until he was grown. His father John C. Casey was a member of the first county court organized in Oregon County. The other two members being Charles Huddleston and Leslie Maldon. Uncle Peter was well acquainted with, and a warm friend of the late Judge John R. Woodside, and holds Judge Lee B. Woodside of Salem in the highest esteem, having visited with him at his home in Salem a few years ago. He is one of those remarkable characters without any early education has accumulated a vast store of knowledge and information. We doubt if there is a man in Reynolds County today that is better posted on the history of the national and state government since 1854 than he and he has gained it all by reading newspapers. He simply digests every newspaper that he can get possession of. He was a hunter in his early life as most of the settlers and tells of many experiences in that line that make interesting reading. One or two we call to mind he has related to us. When about 12 years old in 1844 he went with his father on a bear hunt, as that was the most valuable game. They camped for several days on the head of Hurricane Creek, Shannon County, near the residence of the land now owned and farmed by William Payne. His father would leave him to keep camp and he would go out into the wilderness and hunt all day. So numerous were the panthers and wolves that young Casey was afraid by himself and would climb a forked tree that stood near the camp and stay up there until his father's return. He had taken a hatchet and trimmed the crouch to make the seat more comfortable. He visited the place a few years ago and says the tree is still standing and shows the scars where he hewed it 64 years ago. At that time no one lived between Thomasville and Jack's Fork. He relates as his most successful experience when in 1866 he and James Barnes killed seven bear in three days. He moved to Reynolds County in 1853 and in July of 1853 was married to Miss Ferbia Piles, his present wife, who was born in Reynolds County on April 9, 1838. They have reared a large family./p> Uncle Peter is proud of the fact that in 1860 he cast the only vote in Reynolds County for Abraham Lincoln for President. In 1863 politics became to warm for comfort and he moved back to Illinois, and remained two years, when he returned to Reynolds County and has remained ever since. He has voted for every republican for President since Lincoln and probably there was no man in Missouri who felt more like burning his hat over the election of Hadley than Uncle Peter. There never was a Republican gathering in Reynolds County but what he was the first man on the ground. He is a farmer by occupation and works in the fields every year. Both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church and have been for many years. He is a student of religious matters and knows the Bible almost by heart.
Source: Ellington Press Newspaper, Reynolds County, Missouri, Additional note: A picture is above this article but was not clear on the microfilm. Submitted by Connie Stretch |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer