Zadok Casey
Encyclopedia
Zadok Casey was an American politician
who served as a U.S. Representative
from Illinois
from 1833 to 1843. He founded the city of Mount Vernon
around 1817. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives
in 1822 and to the Illinois State Senate in 1826, and was elected the fourth Lieutenant Governor
in 1830. He served in the Twenty-third United States Congress (1833) through the Twenty-seventh United States Congress (1843). He was a Jacksonian Democrat
. He again served in the Illinois House from 1848 to 1852, serving as speaker in 1852, and in the State Senate from 1860 to 1862.
Zadok Casey was born in Greene County, Georgia
. Not much is known about his early life. One story is that, as a young man, he witnessed a murder. Because he did not wish to testify, he fled to the frontier. He died in Caseyville, Illinois
at age 66, and was interred at Old Union Cemetery in Mount Vernon.
Casey Creek, a tributary of the Big Muddy River
, is named in honor of Zadok Casey. Casey Middle School and Casey Avenue in Mount Vernon are also named after him.
Politics of the United States
The United States is a federal constitutional republic, in which the President of the United States , Congress, and judiciary share powers reserved to the national government, and the federal government shares sovereignty with the state governments.The executive branch is headed by the President...
who served as a U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
from 1833 to 1843. He founded the city of Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Illinois
Mount Vernon is a city located near the center of Jefferson County, Illinois, in the United States. In the 2010 census, the city's reported population was 15,277 people....
around 1817. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives
Illinois House of Representatives
The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower house of the Illinois General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois. The body was created by the first Illinois Constitution adopted in 1818. The state House of Representatives is made of 118 representatives elected from...
in 1822 and to the Illinois State Senate in 1826, and was elected the fourth Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Illinois
The Lieutenant Governor of Illinois is the second highest executive of the State of Illinois. In Illinois, the lieutenant governor and governor run on a joint ticket, and are directly elected by popular vote. Candidates for lieutenant governor run separately in the primary from candidates for...
in 1830. He served in the Twenty-third United States Congress (1833) through the Twenty-seventh United States Congress (1843). He was a Jacksonian Democrat
Jacksonian democracy
Jacksonian democracy is the political movement toward greater democracy for the common man typified by American politician Andrew Jackson and his supporters. Jackson's policies followed the era of Jeffersonian democracy which dominated the previous political era. The Democratic-Republican Party of...
. He again served in the Illinois House from 1848 to 1852, serving as speaker in 1852, and in the State Senate from 1860 to 1862.
Zadok Casey was born in Greene County, Georgia
Greene County, Georgia
Greene County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 3, 1786. As of 2000, the population is 14,406. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,662. The county seat is Greensboro...
. Not much is known about his early life. One story is that, as a young man, he witnessed a murder. Because he did not wish to testify, he fled to the frontier. He died in Caseyville, Illinois
Caseyville, Illinois
Caseyville is a village in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,310 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Caseyville is located at ....
at age 66, and was interred at Old Union Cemetery in Mount Vernon.
Casey Creek, a tributary of the Big Muddy River
Big Muddy River
The Big Muddy River is a river in southern Illinois. It joins the Mississippi River south of Murphysboro. The Big Muddy has been dammed near Benton, forming Rend Lake.The Big Muddy has a mud bottom for most of its length.-Hydrography:...
, is named in honor of Zadok Casey. Casey Middle School and Casey Avenue in Mount Vernon are also named after him.