Representative James G. Casey View All Years

Memorial to the Honorable James G. Casey of Mitchell County

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable James G. Casey, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

James G. Casey was born on a farm seven miles south of Osage on March 6, 1880, and began his education in a country school. He then attended Loras Academy and Loras College in Dubuque, after which he completed a course at the Charles City Business College.

After he completed his formal education he managed the Jas. A. Smith Lumber Company at Ayrshire for two and one-half years. Mr. Casey then returned to Mitchell County to operate and manage the home farm for several years.

In 1908 he was married to Nina Nims, and they farmed for two years. In 1910 Mr. Casey purchased a one-half interest in the farm implement business of W. J. Towner and that business was operated under the name of Jas. G. Casey and Co. until Ben A. Chatman bought Mr. Towner’s interest.

The implement business was then operated for 19 years under the name of Casey and Chatman. In 1942 Mr. Casey sold his interest to Mr. Chatman. Also, during the Casey and Chatman partnership, Mr. Casey represented Mitchell County in the legislature for two years in the Forty­fifth General Assembly. He also served as postmaster of Osage from March 1, 1934, until April 1, 1950, when he retired.

Mr. Casey was a director of the Iowa Implement Dealers Association for seven years and was president of that group in 1926. He was a member of the Osage board of education for eighteen years, fourteen of which he served as president. In 1922, he became a director of The Home Trust and Savings Bank, and in 1936 he was elected vice-president of the bank, an office he held at the time of his death.

In October of last year Mr. Casey received one of the highest honors bestowed upon a Catholic layman. He was made a Knight of St. Gregory, a pontifical order conferred by Pope Pius XII and established by Pope Gregory XVI in 1831.

The high honor was in recognition of his service to his church and country as an exemplary Catholic layman and American citizen. More specifically, the citation included Mr. Casey’s service as a regent of Loras College; his years of service in the Laymen’s Retreat movement, and his membership in the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, the Rev. J. V. Casey of Dubuque and Joseph B. Casey of Osage; two brothers, the Rt. Rev. Valentine Casey of Dubuque and William Casey of Mason City; and a sister, Mrs. Rebecca Kelly of Mason City; and three grandchildren.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Fifty­fourth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of the Honorable James G. Casey, the state has lost a valuable and honored citizen and the House expresses its appreciation of his character and public service and tenders, by this resolution, its sincere and heartfelt sympathy to his beloved family in their great sorrow and loss.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

ALLERT G. OLSON,

MARTIN E. SAR,

NORMAN NORLAND,

Committee.