Mordecai Casson was born in OTSEGO county, NY, August 27, 1839, son of Mordecai and 
Sarah Strongitharm Casson, he a native of Thorne, Yorkshire, England, born in 
October, 1802, and she of Butternuts OTSEGO county, NY. The grandfather of the 
subject was Mordecai, who was a native of Thorne, Yorkshire, England and a 
minister among the Friends, and his father was Mordecai, also a native of York. 
The family were of Welsh descent, and several generations lived in Yorkshire. 
Mordecai, the father of our subject, came to Chester county, PA, in 1832 and 
then removed to Otsego county, and in 1854 came to Tuscarora, where he died May 
2, 1882. Mrs Casson died in October 1878. He was a farmer and owned 300 acres of 
land. He was always a member of the Friends (Quakers-AC). Mordecai was fourteen 
years old when his parents came to Steuben county, NY, where he has since 
resided. July 21, 1863, he enlisted in Co G 2nd NY Vol Cav, under Captain 
Sanford, and served until October 8, 1865. He was in the Red River Expedition 
with Banks, and was in a battle near Alexander, Pleasant Hill, LA, Cane River 
Crossing, Grandecore, and was engaged in the Mississippe raid under General 
Davidson, which started at Baton Rouge, LA, and terminated at Pasagoula Bay, MS. 
In the spring of 1865 he was in the expedition against Mobile from Pensacola FL. 
At the close of the war Mr. Casson returned to Tuscarora and he and his brother 
William took up 160 acres of land, and in 1882 the latter sold his share to 
Mordecai. In 1880 Mr.. Casson and his brother John engaged in the lumber 
business, and at the present time they own 410 acres, and are also in the lumber 
business. Mr Casson is a Republican and in 1875 was supervisor. He was educated 
at Price's Academy and Alfred University (Alfred, Allegany Co, NY-AC), and 
taught school several years. May 2, 1883, he married Helen Griswold of 
Southport, Chemung county. Her father was James Griswold who married Cynthia 
Tozer, and Mr. Griswold was buried on his ninety-first birthday. He was a member 
of the State militia, and was justice of the peace for fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Casson are the parents of two children: James G. and Mordecai. Mr. Casson is a 
breeder of registered Shropshire sheep.

From "Landmarks of Steuben County" by Hon. Harlo Hakes, 1896


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