This is copied from the book "History Of Union County Kentucky" exactly
as it was written.
Page 865
SAMUEL LEWIS CASEY
Geological surveyor and mining engineer, is the son of Nicholas and
Susan G. (Finnie) Casey. A sketch of his parents will be found in the
Pioneer chapter. Our subject was born in Union county, February
18,1821. His training amounted to only eighteen months' schooling, but
he was of a studious nature, and rapidly assimilated all the collateral
knowledge that was to be acquired in those days. When he was yet quite
young he was employed to go upon surveying expeditions in Illinois. In
those days he acquired a taste for geology, and when coal became a
factor in Union County prosperity he was found actively engaged in
developing these resources.
On June 1, 1852, Mr. Casey was married in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to
Mary Quincy Sheafe, the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Haven) Sheafe; born
in Portsmouth, N. H., December 18, 1821. All her ancestors are supposed
to have been born and raised in Portsmouth. Three children, Harriett
L., George F., and Jacob Sheafe were born to them, and Mrs. Casey died
September 15, 1884.
Our subject has been connected with much of the labor of developing the
coal interests of this county. He was early in the employ of the
companies who worked the four and three foot veins, and his progressive
mind, and inventive genius were
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The occasion of many improvements in Union County mining, and, indeed,
in mining operation generally. He was the close friend of the Owens and
was on several surveying expeditions with them. In politics Mr. Casey
was a Whig before the Civil War, but he saw the inevitable and he said
that the very things would happen that did happen, as will be seen by
the article on Union men in the Civil War chapter. After the war
actually commenced, he warmly espoused the cause of the Union, and was
selected to represent the First Kentucky District in the Thirty-Seventh
Congress. In this memorable body he served through all that turbulent
period, and was an influential member. He was sent by President
Lincoln, in 1864, to Shreveport, La., for the purpose of negotiating the
surrender of all the forces west of the Mississippi, and had actually
come to an agreement with the Confederate authorities, but on his return
to Washington he was taken sick, and before he recovered, and could lay
his plans before the President, the Red River expedition of Gen. Banks
was planned and started. This defeated the object of Mr. Casey's
mission. Previous to this, in 1863, our subject was, unknown to
himself, appointed United States Attorney for Kentucky, and was
confirmed by the Senate, but he wrote a letter of thanks, declining the
office. He was also appointed Military Governor of Mississippi, and
Inspector General with the rank of Brigadier General.
In making our estimate of Mr. Casey's character and standing, it is
fortunate, perhaps, that circumstances have prevented us from printing
his biography early in the book, because we could not have known fully
how well and favorably he is known. He has all the characteristics of
inborn leadership. If he had been a democrat it is impossible to say
what he might not have aspired to in Kentucky politics. His actions are
magnetic, and he sways his auditor at his will. In language he is very
clear, and his enunciation is faultless, so far as the natural powers of
his vocal organs are concerned. In gesture and posture of body he is
not only natural but effective and elegant. These qualities were all
calculated to make him a leader in politics, but he had convictions that
would not suit the mind and conscience of the people among whom he was
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Thrown, and the consequence has been that he has not attained that
eminence in politics which he undoubtedly deserved. Even his political
enemies, however, have vied with each other in extolling his social
virtues and his general character.
Since the war Mr. Casey has been engaged in many surveys of mining
lands, and in an expedition of the Southwestern territories was so
debilitated by the use of alkali water, that his life was, for a time
despaired of. He has latterly recovered his health, however, and now
enjoys the best of health.