Gone, but not forgotten: The Jesse E. Casey family

Jesse E. Casey was born in Georgia in 1797. He first married Martha “Patsy” Coe in 1817 in Roane County, Tennessee.They moved to Franklin County, Missouri, around 1834, then to Johnson County, Arkansas, around 1836. They were in what would become Newton County by 1841.
They had twelve children. Martha died in Newton County in 1846 and two years later Jesse married Elizabeth (Rash) McPherson, widow of Rueben McPherson. The 1850 census for Jackson Township showed a blending of the families, with both Casey and McPherson children being present as well as Elizabeth’s mother.
In 1860, Jesse and Elizabeth were living in Jefferson Township. He had no real estate, and his personal property was worth $900.
With them in the household were Elizabeth’s mother and Harvey Houston, a 20-year-old day laborer.
Jesse died June 6, 1863, and was laid to rest in Buffalo Cemetery near Parthenon. Elizabeth would live on until Aug. 14, 1894. She was buried in Buffalo Cemetery, but under the McPherson name.
Five of his children lived out their lives in Newton County.

Elizabeth Casey (1825-1909) married Zachariah Calvin Beckham. Zachariah was a lieutenant in Company K, Hills Arkansas Cavalry (CSA). He was wounded in the Battle of Pilot Knox, Missouri, in 1864, captured, and held prisoner at Alton Illinois until his death the next year. Elizabeth remained a widow, raising their children on her own.
Anthony Casey (1826-1910) was married twice-first to Mahala Self (1826-1890) and then to Louisa Richards (1843-1908).
Levi Newton Casey (1828-1862) was a casualty at the Battle of Pea Ridge.
Amberson Casey died sometime after 1860.
Martha Casey (1832-1894) married Lewis Daniels.

Barbara LeRoy is the author of “Which Side Were They On?,” a 302 page book listing biographical sketches of the Newton Countians who were involved in the Civil War, available for sale either in the Bradley House Museum or by purchasing online at www.newtoncountyar.com. The book sells for $33.