Cassius M. Palmer was a dealer in real estate, lived at 1809 Jefferson Street, Madison. He was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania on September 19, 1844 to Oliver M. and Huldah Palmer. In 1853, Oliver Palmer brought his family to Wisconsin, settling on a farm Oregon after Olivers’s parents, Daniel and Beulah (Warner) Palmer, settled in the area.
In 1853 Cassius and his grandfather celebrated their joint birthday by a visit to Madison, the first opportunity either of them had to seeing the capital city of the state.
Oliver Palmer was a prominent figure in the early history of the Methodist Episcopal church of Oregon. He cut and hauled the logs to mill for the lumber used in the construction of the first Methodist church and parsonage. He took no active part in politics until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he became exceedingly influential in the matter of raising troops. He died March 22, 1898, at the age of 76 after having sold his land. Huldah, Oliver’s wife, died on June 17, 1897, at the age of 75.
Cassius M. Palmer was educated in Oregon. He worked on the family farm until he enlisted in September 1864, in Company E, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, serving in Sherman’s army on garrison duty until the close of the war. On July 2, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and returned to Oregon.
On November 1, 1866, Cassius married Esther Annette, daughter of Marvin P. and Emma A. (Rogers) Colby. Emma was born in England. Marvin was born in New York and was the shoemaker in Oregon. Marvin served in Company B, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, and risen to the rank of lieutenant. Marvin died in March 1869 due to the exposure and hardships of army life.
Cassius and Esther had 3 children; Arlie was Mrs. W. T. Longham, of Belleville, Canada; Merle C. was principal of the high school at Boscobel, Wisconsin; he was a graduate of Whitewater normal school and and is married to Nina Phalen. The youngest child was Mabel, the successful teacher of music in the Richland Center schools.
Cassius and Esther were members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Palmer was a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and served three years as commander of the O. E. Rice post of Oregon. Cassius was not interested in politics and was not affiliated with any party.
Cassius died on November 15, 1919 at the age of 75. He is buried in Prairie Mound Cemetery.
Sources referenced:
- 1906 History of Dane County, Wisconsin, Western Historical Association, Madison, WI, p. 686-687 accessible at https://archive.org/details/historyofdanecou02keye
- Find a Grave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/219945325/cassius-m-palmer