My Genealogy Hound

Joseph Milton Causey, sheriff of Posey county, successful agriculturist and prominent citizen, was born on his father’s farm in Lynn township on February 27, 1864, the son of David Bryant and Margaret E. (Cox) Causey. The family was founded in Indiana in 1830, when Hutson Bryant Causey, born in North Carolina, in 1795, came to Posey county and settled in Center township, where David Bryant was born on July 1, 1840. The latter married in early manhood, Margaret E. Cox, the daughter of David Cox, who was also a pioneer resident of Center township. Hutson Causey and his son, David, were farmers. They under went the hardships incident to the development of a wilderness, cleared away the forest and made productive farm lands from it, were active and influential in the various phases of the life of their period, and performed men’s work at a time when living was a strenuous performance and success was obtained only through hard work and the enduring of many privations. Hutson Bryant Causey died in 1872, aged seventy-seven. His son, David Bryant, on September 13, 1900. Margaret Cox Causey preceded her husband to the rest eternal on October 1, 1892. They were the parents of eight children: Jane D., born December 11, 1861, is the wife of Daniel Willis, a farmer, who resides near Dexter, Mo.; Joseph M., the subject of this review; Maria, born June 3, 1866, the wife of Henry Travers, a farmer of Center township; William H., born January 20, 1870, a farmer, residing at Mt. Vernon; Emma B., born September 20, 1872, the wife of Henry Shaffer, a farmer of Lynn township; Sarah J., born March 30, 1875, the wife of Elvis Wiley, also a farmer of Lynn township ; Enoch E., born December 30, 1877, a farmer of Lynn township, and Seth L., born January 22, 1880, of Lynn township. Joseph Milton Causey was reared on his father’s farm and acquired his education in the district schools of Lynn and Center townships. Reared a farmer, he has continued in that line of endeavor, and has made a success of it. His farm property, which consists of 170 acres, is situated near Wadesville, in Center township, its improvements, which include a modern residence, erected in 1913, are of the best, and in the conduct of his farm work, he is recognized as one of the most progressive agriculturists in the county. To the citizens of Posey county, Mr. Causey is best known through his service as sheriff, a position he has filled since 1910, although he had attained prominence in public life as trustee of Center township, an office to which he was elected in 1900, and in which he served from November 16 of that year until January 1, 1905. During his incumbency of this office he built some twelve miles of new dirt roadway, repaired or reconstructed nearly all of the bridges in the township, and secured the addition of high school work in the schools. He left the office with a cash balance of about $1,000 more than when he entered it, and not withstanding the large expenditures necessary for the improvements made by him, was able to reduce the tax levy from sixty-three to fifty-five cents. He has been a lifelong Democrat. He has always taken an active part in the work of his party, has been influential in its councils, and his record as trustee of his township was such as to secure for him the nomination for sheriff in 1908, which was followed by his election by a flattering majority. He entered upon the duties of his office on January 1, 1910, and his administration of the business of this department of the county’s official service has been commended for its efficiency. He has always made good; as a farmer, as trustee, and as sheriff. His methods have been clean, capable and honest, and he possesses a popularity which is deserved. He is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 277, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Posey Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Wadesville Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Causey married, on August 10, 1884, Miss Laura Travers, the daughter of Joseph A. Travers, a well known farmer of Harmony township. They adopted, in 1894, a son, Edwin A. Causey, who is the manager of the Causey farm in Center township. He married, on July 11, 1909, Miss Lois Wade, the daughter of James A. Wade, a farmer of Center township. They are the parents of two children: Ralph Causey, born November 6, 1911, and Joseph Merle Causey, born January 27, 1913. James M., born May 18, 1910, died January 26, 1911.