Casey, William D.

The following data is extracted from A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans.

William D. Casey was admitted to the bar at Atchison before he was twenty-one years of age, and the expectations based upon his early attainments have been fully justified in his career as a lawyer during the past twenty-five years. Mr. Casey had long been an active leader in Atchison County affairs as well as a forceful and successful member of the bar.

He was born in Carroll County, Missouri, November 19, 1871, a son of Warren Casey, who was born in New York State, where the family originally settled, in 1850. Warren Casey was reared in his native state, removed to Indiana, and in 1884 came to Atchison, Kansas. In Indiana he was connected with the hardware business but was a grocery merchant in Atchison, where he died in May, 1916. He was a republican, served several years in the Atchison City Council, and was a member of the Christian Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Harriet Ward, was born in Indiana in 1851 and is still living at Atchison. William D. Casey was the oldest of their children. Harry entered railroading, was a railroad brakeman, and was killed while in discharge of his dutics at the age of twenty-six. Ira died at Atchison when nineteen years of age; Frank D. lives in Atchison and is traveling representative of the Niles-Moser Cigar Company.

William D. Casey grew up in Atchison from the age of thirteen, attended the high school through the junior year, and for two years was a student of law in DePauw University at Greencastle, Indiana. He returned to Atchison in 1889, continued his studies in private offices and at home, and in 1891 was admitted to the bar. Since then he had been looking after an increasing civil and criminal practice, varied with the performance of many official duties. For four years he served as justice of the peace, for six years was judge of the City Court, and was probate judge of Atchison County six years. Mr. Casey also filled the office of postmaster at Atchison a term of four years until February, 1913. Since retiring from the postoffice he had concentrated all his time and abilities upon his practice. His offices are in the Blair Building. Mr. Casey also owned a farm of 120 acres in Atchison County, his home at 404 North Ninth Street, and three other dwalling houses in the city. Mr. Casey is a republican in politics, member of the Christian Church, is active in the County and State Bar associations and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Aid Union.

At Atchison in 1894 he married Miss Ella Scott of Topeka. They have three children: Venita, who was born January 29, 1896, is a graduate of the high school and of the music course at Midland College, and is still at home; Marion, born August 17, 1901, is a junior in the Atchison High School; and Marlin, born August 15, 1902, is a member of the freshman class in the high school.

Source: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans

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