HENRY CASPER, farmer, P. O. Cobden, was born in Rowan County, N. C, March 6, 1815, to Peter and Esther Casper. She was born in Ireland; he in New Jersey; but his father moved to North Carolina when he was a small boy. He moved to Union County, Ill., in 1818. He settled on a farm two and a half miles northeast of Jonesboro, and died there. He had a family of four sons and four daughters. Our subject and three sisters are now living. The father died early in the year 1863, at about the age of seventy-five; the mother about eight years previous to his death. Our subject was raised on the farm, and his early life was spent in improving it and helping to develop the country. He remained at home till March 14, 1838, when he was married to Eliza Rich, daughter of Thomas Rich. (See sketch of J. M. Rich.) For about eight years after marriage, he remained on a farm near his father's, then sold out and came to his present farm, and has been engaged in farming and fruit-growing since. In this he has been very successful, and at one time had 860 acres of land; but has deeded good farms to his sons and a daughter, and so has but 270 acres at present. He has retired from active life, and rents his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Casper have seven children living, and three dead — George W., Thomas P.. John M., Minor W., Susan (Sifford), Mary (Brower), and Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Casper are members of the M. E. Church of Cobden, and have belonged to it for over thirty years. In politics, he is Democratic.
Extracted 30 Aug 2019 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, page 121-122.
| Jackson | Williamson | |
| MO |
 |
Johnson |
| Alexander | Pulaski |
