Henry Casey
The gentleman of whom the biographer now writes is one of the widely known and honored citizens of Fayette county, where for over half a century he has been a valued factor in the development of the same, prominently identified with the various interests of his community. Almost his entire life has been given to the vocation of farming and he is now living in comfortable retirement in Bloomingburg where both he and his good wife are quietly enjoying the fruits of their earlier and more strenuous years.
Henry Casey was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on December 28, 1837, being a son of George and Catherine (Brakiron) Casey, the former of whom was also a native of the same county. During the earlier portion of his life he was a blacksmith by trade and resided in a number of towns in his native state. His later years he devoted to farming and was located at various points in Illinois and Iowa, where he went in search of a suitable location. His death occurred while he was residing in Wayne county, Iowa, as did also that of his wife, and both lie buried in the cemetery at Allerton, that state. They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom have passed from this life. They are Susan, Rebecca, David, Calvin, Daniel, Elizabeth and Malinda. Henry, the immediate subject, was the fourth child in order of birth and the others living are James, the eldest of the family, Ashibal and Mary.
The subject's early education was very limited indeed, he having had the advantage of only six months schooling, but he later realized something of what he had missed and endeavored in every possible way to acquire useful information along various lines. He was early trained in the work about a farm and when a young man served two years on boats plying the Monongahela river. He soon became dissatisfied with this life and returned to the life of the soil, in which he passed the remainder of his active years. He first came to Fayette county on November 18. 1860, and secured work on a farm. Here be remained for several months and, early fired with patriotism, he enlisted for service with the Union early in the struggle between the two factions of our nation. On September 8. 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Twentieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, his regiment being assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. This regiment saw much active service during the next three years, among the leading engagements being that of Fort Donelson, the battle of Shiloh, engagements at Bolivar, Tennessee; luka, Mississippi; Raymond, Mississippi; Champion's Hill, Vicksburg and Jackson (Mississippi), Baker's Creek. Kenesaw Mountain. Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Orangeburg, Raleigh. Nickajack and Savannah (Georgia). Although having seen so much active service, Mr. Casey was so fortunate as to escape without injury and after the close of the war he returned to Washington C. H. Here, on February 8, 1866. he was united in matrimony with Katharyn Holland, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth ( Windle ) Holland. Charles Holland was a native of the state of Maryland and was brought to this state by William Ogden when he was four years old. They settled first in Ross county, but remained there only a short time, when they removed to Madison county. Here young Charles grew to manhood and when still young began farming on his own account. Here he married Elizabeth Windle. Their union was blessed with three children: Katharyn. the wife of the subject, being the youngest of the family : Rachael, the eldest, is Mrs. Brown and Susan, who became Mrs. Baldwin, is dead. The Holland family were among the early settlers of this part of the state and. being people of intelligence and high moral status, they were early prominent in the best interests of the county and left the impress of their individualities upon many of its institutions. Both Mr. and Mrs. Holland have passed from this life and were laid to rest in the cemetery at Bloomingburg.
Mr. and Mrs. Casey were blessed with nine children, namely: Eva, who married Wesley Eberhart and who is the mother of four children, Arley, Arthur, Merritt and Gladys, all of whom are in school. Frank, the oldest son of the family, married Margaret Ball and they have three children. Bliss, Bessie and Mary. Carrie is the wife of Frank McCoy and has borne four children, but three of whom, Geneva, Charles and Howard, are living, and Marie is dead. Cora became the wife of Claud Andrew and is the mother of two children, Dorris and Dwight. Myrtle married Elmer Clever and has one child, Marjorie. Ollie married Herhert Plummer, while Calvin chose as his wife Elizabeth Porter, who has borne iiim five children, Walter, Calvin, Mary, Herbert and Francis.
Mr. Casey's fraternal affiliation is with the ancient order of Free and Accepted Masons and he is also a member of Miram Judy Post No. 449. Grand Army of the Republic. Both he and his good wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years have sought to live in strict conformity with its teachings and to advance its interests in every way possibIe. Mr. and Mrs. Casey have enjoyed a wedded life extending over a longer period than that of the average and are hoping soon to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of that event. Mr. Casey attained a gratifying degree of success during the years of his labor and owns an excellent farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres. They are spending their latter years in comfortable retirement, surrounded by their children and many grandchildren who bring untold pleasure into their lives. Both Mr. and Mrs. Casey are enjoying excellent health and bid fair to live many more years in full possession of all the faculties which make life enjoyable. They have always been regarded as among the very best families of the community and have an ever widening circle of friends and acquaintances, a fitting tribute to their worthy and useful lives.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)