The Ben Casey Family
By Reba Monkress Casey
Jessie and Sarah Casey with their seven children came from Alabama in a covered wagon. They were driving one mule and one oxen when they reached the Jacksonville area April 30, 1859, after being delayed for some time on the way as the children became sick with the whooping cough. They were told whiskey would cure the cough so they bought a half-gallon jug. The little brown jug is still in the Casey family. They settled in the Craft community a few hundred yards west of the Cotton Belt railroad. Their home was a log house. Ben, the youngest of the family, was born in this house August 1, 1863.
Tom H. Odom and Parmelia Sherman Odom (she was a close relative of General Sherman) settled at Ghent near Maydelle. Tom's grandmother was known as an Indian princess. They came from Georgia in the early years. For a time he owned and operated a cotton gin. He left his wife and four children and fought in the Civil War. When he returned home he carried mail from Jacksonville to Ghent in a buggy, driving two gray mules. Later he owned and operated a general store in Maydelle for many years. They were known by friends as "Uncle Tom" and "Aunt Melia." He died February 23, 1915, age 84 years. Mrs. Odom died June 13, 1924, age 88 years. Nellie Odom was their daughter.
Ben Casey and Nellie Odom were married June 5, 1884. He and his family belonged to the Methodist Church and he was a member of the Woodmen of the World. He was a trustee of the Liberty School, just south of Jacksonville for 25 years. Mr. and Mrs. Casey boarded ten of the teachers who taught in the school at various times. He was engaged in farming and fruit growing and shipped many peaches each year.
The Casey home (shown at left) was built in 1895. It was located on theDialville road four miles south of Jacksonville. Part of it is still standing.
Eight children lived to be grown and five now are living, three in Jacksonville. They are Mozelle Newton, Carrie Vandigriff and Lewis B. Casey.
Everette and Ben R. Casey, oldest sons of the Ben Caseys, attended Lon Morris College, then known as A.C.I. In 1912, they went to Tyler Commercial College and from there they went to Los Angeles to work for Warner Brothers. They continued to make California their home until their deaths.
Ben A. Casey died in 1950 at 87 years of age and Mrs. Casey died in 1957 at 92 years of age. Oakley Newton, a grandson, now lives in Jacksonville, and a great granddaughter also lives here. Mr. Casey lived his entire 87 years within a mile of where he was born.
In 1970, the Historical Survey Committee erected a historical marker at the site of the Ben A. Casey farm, it states
Old Rusk Tramway
(Road visible behind marker)
Equipped with pine rails that warped out of shape and a speed often exceeded by mule wagons, the Rusk tram began operations in 1875. By-passed two years earlier by another railroad, local citizens rejoiced over -this $47,500 tram. Rolling stock consisted of an aged street car, three flat cars and a steam engine—the "Cherokee" passengers usually had to help replace the train on the tracks before it reached the end of the 16-mile line—Jacksonville, 1879. The tram sold for $90. However, it had fostered growth by helping attract Cotton Belt Railroad, iron work, and a State prison.
Ben A. Casey recalled the first day the train was to make the 16-mile trip. He heard the whistle and ran almost a mile, arriving at the site just in time to see the train go on its journey.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Casey, 1924
Ben Casey's house built in 1895