Yuba County
Biographies
MARTIN E. CASEY
Though a native of a distant country, Martin E. Casey has become a thorough Californian, representative of the class of men who give freely of their support to their State and community, and believe in helping as they go through life to make the world better for their having lived in it. Born in County Galway, Ireland, November 11, 1834, he came to the United States in 1851, and settled for a time in the Southern States, where he served on the Confederate side during the Civil War, seeing action in the first battle of Bull Run. After one year in active service he was appointed by the Confederate government as a chemist, at a salary of ten dollars per day, at Richmond, Va., and served in that capacity for three years, until the close of the war.
In 1867 he came to Marysville, where his brother, Tom Casey, had preceded him, in 1855. Tom Casey was born in 1833, and came to Virginia in 1848, where he engaged in the commission business in Richmond. In 1855 he came to Marysville and purchased an interest in the Valley Meat Company, with Jacob Darmstadt, the founder of the business. When Martin E. Casey arrived in Marysville, he purchased Mr. Darmstadt’s interest; and they continued together and in time had a very large commission business. They also acquired large holdings in real estate, as well as cattle interests. At his death, Tom Casey, who had never married, willed his holdings to his brother, Martin E., as all of their holdings were mutual.
Now in his ninetieth year, and retired from active business life, Martin E. Casey, is one of the largest property-owners in Marysville. He owns a two-thirds interest in the Valley Meat Company Building, is the owner of the Casey Block, on D and Fifth Streets, and has a fine home in Oakland, besides choice town property and other business blocks in Marysville, and also residence property. He also owns a mine near Virginia City, Nev. At various times he has owned valuable ranch property in Yuba County, and valuable property in the city of Oakland, which he has given to his near relatives. He gives freely to all movements which will help Marysville, and was one of the largest subscribers to the fund to build the New Marysville Hotel. Having seen Marysville and environs grow from the small settlement in evidence in the sixties, he has unbounded faith in the further advancement in store for this section of the State, and ardently champions all measures looking toward the development of the commonwealth. For the share he has had in this, his name will be long and honorably remembered in the community.
The marriage of Martin E. Casey, which took place in Sacramento, united him with Katherine Bonfrid <not clear>, also a native of Ireland. She was also born in County Galway, Ireland, and was descended from a fine old family in the Emerald Isle. Coming to Marysville in 1876, she here married Mr. Casey. She was to him a good helpmate, and by her encouragement assisted him in gaining his ambition. Like her husband, she was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church. Being practical Catholics, they were always liberal contributors to the benevolences of St. Joseph’s Church, of which they were among the oldest members. They made it possible for St. Joseph’s Church to have the splendid new pipe organ, paying its entire cost, which amounted to $6000. Mr. Casey was bereaved of his faithful wife on the 20th day of December, 1923, two days before she reached the age of eighty-five years. While actively engaged in business, Mr. Casey took an active and interested part in civic and social affairs, and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is enterprising and progressive, and believes in improving the city and forging ahead. He is kind-hearted and liberal, and takes pleasure in helping others.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 372-377
JUDGE W. E. LANGDON
California has always been fortunate in the exceptional personnel of her Bench and Bar; and prominent among those who have added luster to the history of the legal profession in the Golden State may well be mentioned the Hon. W. E. Langdon, police judge at Marysville, who resides at the comfortable Elks’ Club in that town. A native son, he was born in Yuba County, five miles to the north of Wheatland, on the Langdon ranch, on December 16, 1875. His father, Everett B. Langdon, was a native of New York State, and crossed the great plains as early as 1851, with his wife and daughter, traveling with an ox-team. He undertook teaming to the mines, and then bought a ranch near Wheatland, which he farmed until 1886. Selling out, he ran a livery stable until the advent of the automobile, when he retired from that field. He was justice of the peace for East Bear River Township for many years, and was a town trustee of Wheatland. He married Miss Adeline Woodruff, of Iowa, by whom he had five children; and three of his family circle are still alive; Mrs. Leona Elder, of Marysville; Walter E., of our review; and Benjamin I., of Sacramento. Everett B. Langdon was an Odd Fellow and belonged to the Wheatland lodge.
Walter Langdon attended the Wheatland schools, and then went to Chestnutwood’s Business College at Santa Cruz, from which he was duly graduated in 1895. He learned the printer’s trade in Wheatland, in the Graphic office, where he received one dollar a week for wages. Then he worked as a bookkeeper for Durst Bros., at Wheatland, and for the Niemeyer Bros. store, and also for the J. W. Rich grocery store; and in 1898 he came to Marysville. He secured work as a printer on the Marysville Democrat, and occupied various positions, becoming foreman of the composing room, then assistant manager, and afterwards manager. Tom Sherwood was owner of the paper at that time. Mr. Langdon made an enviable record as a proficient and accommodating manager, and was exceptionally popular with the general public. On April 1, 1910, he was appointed police judge at Marysville; and he has been repeatedly re-elected to the same office, and is now serving his sixth term. Since 1908, he has been secretary and manager of the Elks’ Home, Lodge No. 783, at Marysville, and in that capacity, too, he has more than given satisfaction. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World.
Judge Langdon was first married in Wheatland, in 1898, when he was united with Miss Maude T. Monson, of Wheatland. She died at Towle, Placer County, in May, 1910, leaving him three children; Walton M., who served over seas in the World War as a member of the 172nd Aero Squadron and was mustered out at Camp Kearney as sergeant, and who is now secretary of Marysville Post, American Legion; Margaret L., who passed away in 1913; and Adeline T. In 1912 Mr. Langdon was married again, the ceremony occurring in Sacramento and uniting him with Miss May L. Walker, of that city.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 377