Dr. Levi Burnside Casey was born in Johnson County on March 22, 1863, just over the Williamson County line south of Creal Springs to Capt. Levi B. Casey who entered the Civil War as a 2nd Lt. in Company D, 31st Illinois infantry. After the death of his Company Captain at the battle of Fort Donelson, he was promoted to Captain but was unfortunately killed in action at the Battle of Vicksburg.
His son Dr. Levi B. Casey attained a basic education in public schools and while pursuing his medical studies taught school at Bainbridge, Illinois around 1882. He graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky in 1885 and in the spring of 1886 moved to Marion where he entered into partnership with Dr. E.L. Denison. In 1888 he took a post graduate course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago. He was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison as pension examiner which he retained until at least 1905.
In May of 1887, Marion formed Hendrickson Camp No. 94, Sons of Veterans, in honor of William Hendrickson and Levi B. served as the group’s Captain.
Levi was united in marriage to Miss Laura Belle Lowe on April 25, 1889 in Marion. Laura was the daughter of B.F. Lowe and Letha McCown. On January 29 of 1890, the couple had their first and only child, a son named Clyde Lowe Casey.
In 1893, Levi B. Casey served as Marion alderman under Mayor James W. Westbrook.
On November 19, 1896 a fire that cleared a block of businesses on the east side of the square in the 1100 block damaged some of Dr. Casey’s belongings. It was reported that he lost a stable and feed valued at $100, while the heat from the fire damaged glass in the front of his building. Two years later in 1898, his office was advertised as being located as an office in the front room over Westbrooks store. The Westbrook store was then located in the 900 block of the square at the corner of S. Market St.
The 1900 federal census found the couple living with their son Clyde, then aged 10, at a home they owned which I believe to be 522 S. Market Street based on later census records.
In 1902 when county physicians got together and formed an organization called the Physicians Protection Association, Casey was a charter member and served as their treasurer. Casey was also noted in 1904 as a member of Monitor Lodge No. 236, Knights of Pythias and served as their Master of Exchequer.
The 1907 Marion street directory also noted his office at 903 Public Square. It was found that when Pittsburg, Illinois was founded in 1909, Casey owned property there.
In the 1910 federal census, L.B. 48, his wife Laura 40 and their son Clyde, now 20, were living at 522 S. Market St. with an office at 903 Public Square.
During WWI, Casey served as an examining physician for the Local Marion draft board. Exams were initially held at the Elks home on S. Market St. and then moved later to City Hall in the corner of the square.
In the 1920 federal census, L.B. 57, and Laura 52, were still at their home at 522 S. Market St. the census confirmed that they owned their home.
After six weeks of illness in March of 1923, Casey passed away at their home after his illness turned to pneumonia. Casey was a member of the First Methodist Church in Marion. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Levi’s wife Laura Belle Casey passed away on December 9, 1946 at her home at 202 East Thorne Street. She was born in Williamson County on August 4, 1868. She was a member of the Methodist Church and burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Notes on children:
Dr. Clyde Lowe Casey, born January 29, 1890, married Margaret Higby in Chicago in December 1913, passed away July 21, 1938 in Marion, burial in Rose Hill Cemetery. He served in WWI as a medical corp 1st Lt. Attended University of Chicago in the early 1920’s.
(Sources: The Leader, Egyptian Press, Marion Daily Republican and Marion Weekly Leader newspapers, Marion Street Directories, Marion City Cemetery records, Memoirs of James W. Turner, Nicknames & Other Things, Federal Census Records, WWI Draft Cards. Compiled by Sam Lattuca 8/30/2023)