Thomas Sloo Casey (1832 - 1891)

Born 6 Apr 1832 in Jefferson, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Died 1 Mar 1891 at age 58 in Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois, United States

Biography

Thomas S. Casey (April 6, 1832 – March 1, 1891) was an American politician and judge. Casey was born in Jefferson County, Illinois and sent to the public schools. He graduated from McKendree College and then studied law. In 1851, Casey was admitted to the Illinois bar. He lived in Mount Vernon, Illinois. In 1860, he was elected state's attorney. Casey served in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was commissioned a colonel. From 1864 to 1868, Casey again served as state's attorney. From 1870 to 1872, he served in the Illinois House of Representatives and was a Democrat. Casey served in the Illinois Senate from 1872 to 1876.Casey then served on the Illinois Appellate Court from 1879 to 1885. Casey then moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he practiced law. He died in Springfield, Illinois from pneumonia. His father was Zadok Casey who served as Governor of Illinois

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. 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.

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. Son of Zadock Casey and Rachel King, who was born in Tennessee. He attended the Mount Vernon Seminary, and at the age of sixteen entered McKendree College. He entered the law office of Hugh Montgomery and was admitted to the bar before the supreme court at Springfield, Illinois.

In Mount Vernon, IL, he was in 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.

At the close of the war, Colonel Casey resumed the practice of law. In 1870, was elected a member of the legislature, where he served with distinction. In 1872, he was elected state's attorney. 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 term of office. Upon his retirement from the bench, Judge Casey resumed the practice of law in Springfield.

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; The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1899. PP:705-707.

~Colonel Thomas S. Casey, a prominent attorney of this city, died at the Revere House this morning of lung fever after a short illness. Colonel Casey commanded the One Hundred and Tenth Illinois Regiment from 1862 to 1863, and won honorable distinction at the battle of Stone River, where his regiment was in front of the attacking column. He was twice elected State's Attorney of Jefferson County, served as a member of the State Legislature from 1871 to 1877, and as Judge upon the Circuit and Appellate bench from 1879 to 1885. Judge Casey was the son of the Hon. Zadock Casey, a distinguished citizen of Illinois, for ten years a Congressman from Illinois and formerly Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. He leaves a wife and two daughters, Mrs. Daniel C. Nugent, of St. Louis, and Mrs. Baker, wife of Lieutenant D. J. Baker, of the United States army, stationed at Fort Yates, N.D. ~Inter Ocean, 3-2-1891

Sources

• 'Colonel Thomas S. Casey-death notice,' Dixon Evening Telegram (Dixon, Illinois), March 2, 1891, pg. 2

'Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois-Biographical, Memorial, Illustrative,' Volume 1, Newton Bateman/Paul Selby. J. Seymour Currey-editors, Munsell Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois: 1929, Biographical Sketch of Zadok Casey with information about Thomas S. Casey, pg. 83-84 'Illinois Legislative Manual-1875,' pg. 82 Find a Grave Memorial no. 21124367, citing Calvary Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois, USA