The exact date of death for Stephen Casey is not known. In July of 1896 he applied for a pension based on his Civil War Service but he does not appear on the 1900 census. His wife Mary Jane is listed on that census as a widow so Stephen evidently died sometime between 1896 and 1900.

Stephen Casey was the son of Jesse E. Casey and Martha "Patsy" Coe. He moved with his family from Morgan County, Tennessee to Newton County, Arkansas where he married his first wife Sarah Wilkins about 1840. Stephen and Sarah were the parents of eight children:

James Wilkins Casey (1842-1905)
Nancy Caroline Casey born 1843
Francis Marion Casey (1845-1934)
George Washington Casey (1847-1929)
Temperance A. Casey (1852-1932)
Thomas Benton Casey (1853-1935)
Amanda J. Casey born 1856
Eliza Casey born 1858

Stephen enlised in the Confederate Army 13 July 1861. He served for a year as a Corporal in Company B, 14th Regiment, Arkansas Volunteers and then received a disability discharge.

Stephen's first wife Sarah Wilkins evidently died about 1866 and he married Mary Jane Angel Riggins about 1867. Stephen and Mary Jane were the parents of six known children:

Martha Ann Casey born 1868
Melinda Elnora born 1871
Jesse Newton Casey (1872-1929)
Ambrose Wilson Casey (1875-1953)
Melissa Clementine Casey born 1878
Lillie Belle Casey born 1880


In 1896 Stephen applied for pension based on his Confederate service during the Civil War. Doctors report indicates that he is blind and has to support minor orphan grandchildren. These grandchildren appear on the 1900 census with wife Mary Casey. Their mother Martha Casey Thomason is also listed on the census (as a widow) so it appears only her husband, Bill Thomason, has died and the orphan children mentioned are Mary Thomason age 12, John Thomason age 10, May Thomason age 8 and Marion age 5.

Bio by Vonda Fairbanks Dihm