Samuel Knox Casey was born to Jesse M. and Cynthia Casey on a farm four miles north of Marion on March 6, 1865. On February 16, 1887 he married Annie B. Stilley. In February of the following year they had a daughter named Laura Belle. His wife Annie died on February 23, 1892 leaving Samuel with a young daughter. Laura lived with her grandfather Casey and Aunt Washie Oliver until she was old enough to attend the Marion public schools. After grammar school, in 1903, she attended Marion high school.

In 1895 Samuel moved to Marion and bought half interest in the Egyptian Press newspaper, a weekly Democratic newspaper, and in 1902 with James Felts founded the Marion Evening Post, a daily Democratic paper. In 1897, Samuel’s father Jesse passed away.

Around the year 1901, Charles Gent of Marion, secured land in Lake Creek Township from Samuel Casey. Samuel had inherited his grandfather’s land from the maternal, Binkley side of the family. The land had originally been granted to his grandfather George W. Binkley in 1837. After Gent bought the land from Samuel he sank a mine shaft. The town that grew up around that mine was given the name Whiteash, the trade name used for the coal mined there by the Chicago and Marion coal company, which Mr. Gent organized. In 1905, the village of Whiteash was incorporated. Samuel helped lay out the lots for an addition to the village on part of his grandfather’s 1837 land entry.

In March 1902, Casey and Felts bought out the Daily Marion News and The Daily Marion Post and began publication of the Daily Marion Post. He published both papers from the same press at 1001 Public Square.  In 1907 city directories list Samuel as living and working at this address.

This year of 1907 appears to be a pivotal year for Samuel. Only years before, he was buying up newspapers and making deals. But then, Samuel was stricken with a prolonged illness that caused him to resign all active participation and lease the Egyptian Press paper to E. F. Bones, N. Van Linder and J. H. Felts, who then ran it under the name and style of The Felts & Linder Publishing Co. Samuel would continue editing and publishing the Marion Evening Post and within the year he would buy a proper home for him and his daughter to share at 812 N. Market St.

Casey’s obituary indicated that in February 1907, he was named by Governor Henry Horner to the position of Assistant Secretary of the Illinois State Teacher’s Pension and Retirement Fund.

The 1910 census tells us that Samuel 45 and his daughter Laura Belle 22 are now living at 812 N. Market. He owns the home and they have a 42 year old live in servant/cook named Susan and house a 28 year old boarder named Marietta.

Around 1912, Laura Belle married an attorney by the name of Walter W. Skaggs. The couple continued living with her father Samuel on N. Market. The following year, Laura had her first child, Helen. Their next child would be a son named Walter C. in 1919.

The 1920 census reveals that Samuel is still at editing and publishing his paper. Laura, Walter and their children are still living at 812 N. Market with her father. Susan Davis, their house woman, was still in their occupation at 52 years old.

In 1928, Walter died and left Laura and her father with 15 year old Helen and 9 year old Walter Jr.

In 1930, Samuel has now reached 65, Laura is 42, Helen 17 and Walter 11. Samuel is still editing the paper. Their housekeeper, Susan Davis is still in their employ and is 62. Samuel claims a value on the home of $10,000. Laura lists herself as widowed but, oddly enough, Samuel is listed as married.

In August of 1939, while living in Springfield, Casey had suffered a heart attack and spent three weeks in St. John’s Hospital there. After release from the hospital, he spent a week in a rooming house and then returned to his Marion home to convalesce.

On September 12, 1939 Samuel had a second heart attack and died in his bed at the age of 74. He was buried two days later at Rose Hill cemetery. Laura Belle as the only child inherited the home and her father’s resources.

In the 1940 census, Laura lists herself as administrator of a daily newspaper and indicates she has other income, likely her father’s estate. Her two children are still living with her. Helen is now 28 and shows no occupation. Walter is 22 and indicates he is a “new worker”. I presume this to mean he just started working and likely it is with the family newspaper. Susan Davis is still in their employ at 72 years old but is now widowed. Laura values the home at $5,000. In the early 1940’s, Laura sold the family home at 812 N. Market St.

Ironically, after losing her mother at the age of four, Laura lost both of her children before she died. Helen died in 1945 followed by Walter in 1948. Laura Belle passed away in 1954.

Laura Belle, her husband Walter and their children Helen and Walter C. are all buried together in Lot 44-1, Block W-12 of Rose Hill 1^st Addition. Her father Samuel is nearby in Lot 44-1, block E12.

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(Data from 1905 Souvenir Book, WCHS; Federal census records, street directories, Pioneer Folks and Places, Barbara Barr Hubbs; Marion City Cemetery database;photos from Souvenir Book; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 01/19/2013)