Jackson County Mississippi Biographies and Biographical Sketches

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CASEY, John F. Biography

One of the largest manufacturing establishments of Jackson countv is the sawmill of Hnnter, Bonn & Co., which was erected according to the plans and specifications of John F. Casey, of Scranton, Miss. It was begun in March, 1889, and was completed in July of the same year. It is 40x241 feet, and has a capacity of seventy thousand feet per day. There are three dry kilns, and the mill is thoroughly equipped throughout with all the modern improvements and conveniences. It fronts on the east bank of the Pascagoula river, and the Louisville & Nashville railroad runs a switch into the yards. About sixty-five men are employed besides the timber crews. The originator of this concern is Charles Casey, a native of New Brunswick, born in 1844. He was educated in his native country at College Hill. His father being a lumber merchant, he was naturally trained to the business. At the age of eighteen years he bade farewell to the parental roof, and started out into the world, dependent upon his own resources. He first went to Pennsylvania, and erected the first circular sawmill at Williamsport that was built in that part of the country. He did an immense business there until 1870. and then went to Brunswick, Ga., where he operated a mill for one year. He then went to Port Hudson, and formed a partnership with Dr. Hill in the milling business. He sold his interest, and removed to Clinton, La., where he owned and operated two mills for eight years. While residing here he was married to Aliss Alary E. Pipes, a daughter of David Pipes, the present state treasurer of Louisiana. His next place of residence was New Orleans, where he erected the Clipper sawmill, the firm being Clarey & Casey. This partnership existed two and a half years, when Mr. Casey sold out, and engaged in the machinery business, selling all kinds of saw and wood machinery. For four years he was thus employed, and at the end of that period he came to Scranton, Aliss., where he has had the management of Hunter, Benn & Co.’s business. His wide experience has fitted him for this position, and he has been very successful in his conduct of the business. Mr. Casey has reared a family of six children: William H. , Eudora P., Maude A., John F., Jr., Alsena, Edward G. The father is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is also a Knight of Honor. [Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi, Chicago, The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1891.]