"William M. CASEY is a retired farmer of Centralia, and one
of the honored early settlers and prominent citizens of Marion County."
"William M. CASEY was reared on the old homestead and was educated
in a log schoolhouse with a puncheon floor, slab seats and greased paper
windows. The history of pioneer life is familiar to him, not from hearsay,
but from experience. In 1852 he married Julia E. KENNEDY, and they
had three children. After his marriage Mr. CASEY located in Jefferson,
and 4 years later removed to Washington County, where for 10 years he owned
and operated a farm of 240 acres. He then sold the property and came to
Centralia, where he has since lived in retirement from active labor."
"Mr. CASEY has been a member of the Methodist Church since the
age of nine years, and his wife since twelve years old. He has been numbered
among its officers for 38 years, and has ever been prominent in its work.
He cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor, and was a Whig
until 1856, since which time he has been a stanch Republican. For ten years
he served as Township Treasurer of Washington, but has never been an office
seeker. He is now (1894, almost 69 years old) practically living retired,
but is still a Director of the Old National Bank, Centralia Mining and
Manufacturing Company, and the Centralia Fair Association. He is a worthy
representative of one of the prominent families of the state, and his honorable,
upright life gives him a leading place among the best citizens of the community.
Source:1. From "Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington,
Marion, and Jefferson Counties, Illinois: Containing Biographical Sketches
of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the Counties", published in
1894 by Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago. Esp. pages 328-331, which include
a full page engraving of William M. CASEY, with his signature, and
an excellent biographical article.
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"William CASEY moved to Washington County, IL, in 1856 where
he operated a 240-acre farm in Township 2 South, Range 1 West for about
ten years. This farm was valued at $4000 when the 1860 census of that county
was taken. After the death of his wife Julia he moved to Marion County,
IL, where he was found living in the 1870 and 1880 censuses in the city
of Centralia, Ward 2. His farm in that area was valued at $9000. William
and Julia, who is buried in the Dempsey KENNEDY Cemetery in Washington
County, had three children: Dempsey, born Dec 1852; Mary Harriet, born
ca. 1857, who died 18 Oct 1875; and Lillie C., born ca.1859, who married
the Rev. J. T. Musgrove." (page 711)
Submitted by: (Bob Sander-Cederlof) June 2, 1998
Source: 2. From "The Maxeys of Virginia -- A genealogical History of
the Descendants of Edward and Susannah MAXEY", by Edythe MAXEY CLARK, Gateway
Press, Baltimore, 1980. (Dallas Public Library) In December 1997, her address
is Mrs. Edythe Clark, 6909 Chickasaw Bayou, Brandenton, Fl 34203
