Jefferson-Statewide County IL Archives Biographies.....CASEY, Judge Thomas Sloo April 6, 1832 - March 1, 1891
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Milisia HANLIN NineBetweens@aol.com October 23, 2008, 8:39 am

Author: The Bench and Bar of Illinois: Historical and Reminiscent.  Edited by John McAuley Palmer.

"Colonel Thomas Sloo Casey, as a lawyer, soldier and statesman, had left a 
name ineffaceably engraved on the pages of Illinois history.  He left the 
impress of his stong individuality and noble character upon the legislation 
and jurisprudence of the state, and in the house of his country's peril he 
marched at the head of a loyal Union army that aided in winning more than one 
important victory for the nation.  It is not an easy task to describe 
adequately a man who led an eminently active and busy life and who attained to 
a postion of high relative distinction in the more important and exacting 
fields of human endeavor.  But biography finds its most perfect justification, 
nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such a life history,  It is, 
then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded, and of the painstaking 
scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of the 
significant satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly 
upon the details of such a record as had been the voice of the character of 
the honored subject whose life now comes under review."

"Thomas Sloo Casey was born on 'Red Bud' Farm, in Jefferson County, Illinois, 
April 6, 1832, and was descended from one of the Revolutionary heroes, his 
grandfather, Randolph Casey, having served under General Francis Marion in the 
war for independence.  Zadock Casey, the father of our subject, was a native 
of Georgia, and in 1817, married Rachel King, who was born in Tennessee.  The 
following year they removed to Jefferson County, Illinois, locating on a farm 
to which they gave the name, 'Red Bud'.  In 1841, they purchased a new home, 
adjoining Mount Vernon, which they named 'Elm Hill'.  The father was a farmer 
by occupation and was one of the honored pioneers of the state, whose labors 
laid the foundation for the present prosperity and greatness of the 
commonwealth.  As a local minister of the Methodist church, he also labored 
for the uplifting of humanity, and his life was an inspiration to all who knew 
him.  He served in the Black Hawk War when the Indians threatened the 
destruction of the new state, and in every possible way aided in the material, 
educational, social and moral advancement of the community which his life was 
cast.  A man of broad mind and ripe scholarship, of sound judgement and noble 
purpose, he was well fitted for leadership in the world both of thought and 
action, and was called to represent his district in both houses of the state 
legislature.  He was also a member of Congress for ten years and was 
lieutenant-governor of Illinois." [End of P:705]

"[Start of P:706] General T. S. Casey and his brothers spent their early years 
under the care of a tutor in their own home.  Later, he attended the Mount 
Vernon Seminary, and at the age of sixteen entered McKendree College, in which 
institution he was graduated on completing the scientific and classical 
courses.  Thus, with a comprehensive general knowledge on which to read the 
superstructure of professional learning, he entered the law office of Hugh 
Montgomery, under whose direction he mastered the fundamental principles of 
jurisprudence.  After thorough preparation he was admitted to the bar before 
the supreme court at Springfield, Illinois, and through the succeeding two 
years, resided in Shawneetown, Illinois, where his brother, Samuel K. Casey, 
had charge of the land office, he becoming an assistant to this office."

"On the expiration of the two years, Colonel Casey returned to Mount Vernon, 
where he engaged in the practice of law partnership with Tazewell B. Tanner, 
and also edited the Democratic county paper from 1856 until 1858.  In 1860, he 
was elected state's attorney over two opponents by a large majority, and in 
1864, was re-elected for a term of four years.  His law practice, however, was 
interrupted by his military service, for in response to his country's call for 
troops he determined to go forth to battle for the Union, and within fifteen 
days raised a full regiment, with which he reported at Anna, Illinois, in 
September, 1862, and was elected colonel of what became the One Hundred and 
Tenth Illinois Infantry.  At the head of his command he went immediately to 
the front, where he soon participated in several minor engagements and in the 
important battle of Stone River, where he was reported killed.  He was with 
General Palmer's brigade, which pursued General Bragg to Murfreesboro, and 
honorable mention is made of his service (see "Patriotism of Illinois", Volume 
1, P:361), where an account is given how Colonel Thomas S. Casey, and the One 
Hundred and Tenth Illinois, together with the Forty-first Ohio regiment, by 
their unflinching determination and bravery foiled the overwhelming force of 
the rebels in their attempt to break the front of General Hazen's forces.  
Subsequently, they occupied the extreme left under General Palmer against 
which a heavy attack was directed.  This position had to be held or the left 
wing of the army sacrificed.  The ammunition of the One Hundred and Tenth was 
exhausted when the voice of the Colonel rang out ,"Club your muskets!' to 
which command the men heartly responded, and like heroes, they fought and held 
the line unbroken until reinforced by the One Hundredth Illinois under the 
lamented Colonel Bartleson.  The bravey of their commander often inspired the 
One Hundred and Tenth to deeds of great valor, for they knew that he would 
never needlessly sacrifice a single man, and that he would not only give them 
orders but would be their leader in the thickest of the fight and in the midst 
of the greatest danger."

"Returning to Mount Vernon, at the close of the war, Colonel Casey resumed the 
practice of law and with the passing years his clientage increased both in 
volume and importance.  He ever took a patriotic and public-spirited interest 
in the welfare of his state, and in 1870, was elected a member of the 
legislature, where he served with distinction.  In 1872, he was elected state 
senator, and during his term, made the first "free-trade" speech ever 
delivered in the general..." [End of P:706] [Start of P:707] "...assembly of 
Illinois.  His knowledge of constitutional law made him a very able member and 
his influence and counsel were widely felt in framing the statutes of the 
commonwealth.  In 1879, he was elected circuit judge of his district and was 
immediately appointed one of the appellate judges, which position he filled 
until the expiration of his tem of office.  He took to the bench a mind well 
stored with legal lore, a large experience gathered from years of extensive 
and important practice, a character that was an assurance that the duties of 
the high office would be faithfully administered and a general natural fitness 
for the position that few men possess.  His record as a judge was in harmony 
with his record as a man and a lawyer, distinguished by unswerving integrity 
and a masterful grasp of every problem that has presented itself for his 
solution.  While he was at all times fair and impartial in his rulings and 
based his decisions upon a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the law, he 
also exercised the higher attribute of mercy which often is followed by a 
reform that cold justice never brings.  Upon his retirement from the bench, 
Judge Casey resumed the practice of law in Springfield.  His preparation of 
cases was most thorough and exhaustive; he seemed almost intuitively to grasp 
the strong points of law and fact, while in his briefs and arguments, the 
authorities were cited so extensively and the facts and reasons thereon 
presented so cogently and unanswerably as to leave no doubt as to the 
correctness of his views or of his conclusions.  No detail seemed to escape 
him; every point was given its due prominence and the case argued with such 
skill, ability and power that he rarely failed to gain the verdict desired."

"Judge Casey was married in Springfield, Illinois, October 30, 1861, to Miss 
Matilda S. Moran, a daughter of Patricius Moran, a native of Roscommon County, 
Ireland, and a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia.  They 
had three children, one of whom died in infancy, the others being Carrie, wife 
of Dan C. Nugent, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Louis, wife of Lieutenant D. J. 
Baker, Jr., of the Twelfth Infantry, United States Army.  The Judge was a 
member of the Knights of Honor and the Sons of Maccabees, and was a convert to 
the Roman Catholic church.  He died March 1, 1891, and was buried in Calvary 
cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.  Any monumnet erected to his memory and to 
commemorate his virtues will have become dim and tarnished by time ere the 
remembrance of his noble example shall cease to exercise an influence upon the 
community in which he lived and labored to such goodly ends." 

Source Information: 
Chapter XXXIV. "Representative Lawyers of St. Clair, McLean, McDonough, Massac 
and Clark Counties." The Bench and Bar of Illinois: Historical and 
Reminiscent.  Edited by John McAuley Palmer, With Contributions From A Number 
Of The Formost Members Of The Legal Profession In The State. Volume II. The 
Lewis Publiishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1899. PP:705-707.



Additional Comments:
Zadock CASEY, born 1796, in Greene County, Georgia, USA, was son of Randolph 
[I] Casey, formerly of Seder Sholes [Cedar Shoals] Creek, Berkeley County, 
South Carolina America.  
Randolph [I] CASEY is believed to have served in the Revolutionary War under 
General Francis Marion, "Swamp Fox".
Randolph [I] CASEY is believed to have been a son of Abner Brooks I CASEY, and 
of his wife, Harriet 'Hettie' GREEN, of Welsh descent, both formerly of 
Baltimore, Province of Maryland, of Roanoke Valley, Virginia, of Spartanburg 
and Newberry Counties, South Carolina, America. 
Randolph [I] CASEY obtained a colonial land plat [a platation], on June 5, 
1770, of 300 acres on the small branch of the Enoree River, called Seder 
Sholes Creek [Cedar Shoals Creek] between the forks of the Broad and Saluda 
Rivers, in then Berkeley County, South Carolina, America, now known as parts 
of Spartangurg and Newberry Counties, South Carolina, USA.

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