Webster County, West Virginia Biography of John Newton CASEY ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Valerie Crook, , March 1999 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 87-88 JOHN NEWTON CASEY. The entire industrial career of John Newton Casey has been passed in the employ of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Company, with which sys- tem he has advanced steadily to a position of importance. Starting in a minor capacity about eighteen years ago, his fidelity, industry and general ability have combined to gain him consecutive promotions and he is now chief car distributor at Huntington. Mr. Casey was born at Ironton, Ohio, April 4, 1887, and is a son of John Newton and Minerva (Wright) Casey. His grandfather, John Casey, spent the greater part of his life in Lawrence County, Kentucky, where he was engaged in extensive agricultural operations and where his death occurred prior to the birth of his grandson. He married Mary Justice, who also died in Lawrence County. John Newton Casey, the elder, was born at Fallsburg, Lawrence County, Kentucky, July 13, 1843, and was reared in the vicinity of Ironton, Ohio. When the war between the states came on he enlisted in the Union Army, in a West Vir- ginia volunteer infantry regiment, with which he served throughout the period of the straggle, and participated in numerous engagements, being with General Sherman's troops on their famous "march to the sea." He was within ten feet of General Sherman when he gave that his- toric command: "Turn, boys! Turn, we are going back. We will gain the ground we slept on last night, or there will be blood shed.'' Mr. Casey had an excellent military record, and after receiving his honorable discharge returned to the community of Ironton, Ohio, where he became a pioneer blacksmith. He spent the remainder of his life there, engaged in following his trade, and died at Lawrence Furnace, Ohio, a suburb of Ironton, February 12, 1887. He was a republican in his political views, and as a church- man acknowledged the Christian faith. At Louisa, Ken- tucky, he married Miss Minerva Wright, who was born at Grayson, Kentucky, July 12, 1860, now a resident of Iron- ton. They became the parents of four children: Harry, an apprenticed machinist at Ironton, Ohio; Mary, who re- sides with her mother; John Newton; and Dr. Chester A. Casey, who is now a prominent physician and surgeon at Boston, Massachusetts. John Newton Casey, the younger, attended the public schools of Ironton, Ohio, leaving school in 1903. In the same year he commenced his connection with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Company, starting as bill clerk in the offices at Ironton, Ohio. Later he was promoted to the po- sition of cashier, and this was followed by his advancement to the post of assistant agent at Russell, Kentucky. In August, 1913, he was transferred to Huntington, West Vir- ginia, where he acted as ticket agent until July, 1917, and was then promoted to be chief clerk to the chief car dis- tributor. In May, 1918, he was appointed ear distributor at St. Albans, West Virginia, and January 1, 1919, was made night chief car distributor at Huntington. On Jan- uary 1, 1921, he was advanced to be chief car distributor at Huntington, the position which he holds at this time. His offices are situated on the third floor of the passenger depot of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, on Seventh Ave- nue, between Ninth and Tenth streets. Mr. Casey is a thorough railroad man, and, having worked his way up through the various departments, has a comprehensive knowledge of details. He has found little time to devote to matters outside of the immediate line of his work, but takes a good citizen's interest in civic affairs and politics, and votes the republican ticket. His religious affiliation is with the Christian Church. Mr. Casey is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of Huntington Lodge No. 53, A. F. and A. M., West Virginia Consistory No. 1, of Wheeling, and Beni-Kedem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Charleston. He owns a pleasant and comfortable residence at No. 614 Fifth Street, one of Huntington's modern homes. On September 6, 1916, Mr. Casey was united in marriage at Mobile, Alabama, with Miss Marie Richey, a graduate of Marshall College, Huntington, and a daughter of Will- iam O. and Mollie (Darling) Richey, residents of Hunting- ton, where Mr. Richey is identified with the Varnum Realty Company. Two children have come to Mr. and Mrs. Casey: Mary Eloise, born May 17, 1918; and Anna Maxine, born November 30, 1919.