Dan D. Casement papers, 1868-1953

Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Casement, Dan D.
Physical description:
28.00 Boxes
Language:
English
Latin

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents the writings, photographs, and published material in regards to Dan D. Casement (1868-1953), a cattleman and horseman, from 1858-1953. The materials included in this collection are a wide range of documentation, including a large amount of correspondence from 1858-1953 chronologically and notable alphabetical correspondence with individuals in addition to the U.S. Army and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Journals and diaries belonging to Casement give insight into his family, time at Princeton, and to his life in Costa Rica from 1897-1903. Specific information from the time he spent laying railroad track in Costa Rica and other life events during that time can be found in B4/F16 - B5/F25 and B22/F6-7. Casement wrote extensively for the American Hereford Association and many other livestock associations and organizations. Several articles, letters, speeches, resolutions, and fragments of other writings (poetry, quotations, letters to editors, etc.) are included within this collection. Supplementing these writings are press releases and various printed materials, including scrapbooks, letters, and newspaper clippings. Legal and financial documents from 1884-1941, including army vouchers, can be found in boxes 22 and 23. Other items in the collection are artwork, including pencil sketches, water colors, and awards/certificates, some oversized documentation and printed materials, and several photographs spread throughout the collection (boxes 1, 2, 7, 8, 14, 26).

Biographical / historical:

Dan D. Casement was an involved man, he spent time as student at the Western Reserve Academy from 1884-1886 and owned and operated his father's ranch (Juniata Ranch) from 1889-1953, during which time he graduated from Princeton University in civil engineering, obtained a Master's degree from Columbia University, married his late wife Mary Olivia Thorburgh, spent 6 years in Costa Rica, and was the correspondence editor for Breeder's Gazette for 6 years.
Casement and his family spent six years in Costa Rica after Dan was given the task of overseeing the construction of a railway in the country by Gen Jack, Casement’s father in 1887. Jack accepted a contract to build 55 miles of track from San Jose to the coast and spent much of his time in New York trying to raise funds. During this time, Costa Rica tottered as a result of revolution and bankruptcy and therefore what was thought of being a sporting adventure turned into the extremely difficult task of laying track in a mountainous, tropical country. Yellow fever and insurrection did not help matters. The circumstances made the construction of the trans-continental railroad across in the American prairie seem like a Lionel train on Christmas morning. For example, on chasm to be bridged was 652 wide and 310 feet deep which, at the time, had only one counterpart in the world, that in Africa. Although the project was deemed profitable for the Casements, they could only complete 30 of the 55 mile line before the Costa Rican government suspended funds after six years. By contrast, it took less time for General Jack to build the eastern leg of the transcontinental railroad than it took to construct 30 miles of track in Costa Rica. Only once during the six year span (1887-1903) did the Casements visit the United States. Dan and Olivia’s daughter, Mary, was born in Costa Rica and though their task was difficult and frustrating, they developed lasting friendships during their time there.
During his ownership of Juniata Ranch, it was the location of Kansas State University’s original grass utilization research that was conducted by the Agricultural Experiment Station in 1915. Casement also was appointed to review an appraisal of the grazing value of the national forests, and his report recommended a fee related to the price of livestock, which was in force when he died. He was also involved in politics and attended several National Republican Conventions, including the one in 1952 in where he was an avid supporter of General Douglas MacArthur for the nomination. For his contribution to the cattle industry, The Saddle and Sirloin club in Chicago had his portrait hung in its gallery of leaders of the U.S. livestock industry. Additionally, he contributed immeasurably to the betterment of American agriculture by his leadership in animal breeding and feeding, with cattle, sheep, horses, and hogs.
Upon Casement’s death in 1953, tributes were given in his honor. Tributes include those from Governor Edward F. Arn, Senator Harry Darby, and Frances D. Farrell. Representative Howard S. Miller read a tribute to Casement on the floor of the House of Representatives, and in an editorial in the Manhattan, Bill Colvin shared his memory of Dan. At the Cowboy Hall of Fame 1958 annual meeting in Oklahoma City, Casement was one of 11 elected at large from across the U.S to be inducted, just five years after his death.
Chronology:
1868 Dan Dillon Casement born near Painsville, OH (Jul 13)

1878 John S. Casement acquired Juniata farm near Manhattan

1884-1886 Student, Western Reserve Academy

1889-1953 Owned and operated Juniata Ranch

1890 Graduated from Princeton (Civil Engineering)

1891 Obtained masters degree from Columbia University; Charles A. “Tot” Otis, Jr., roommate

1891-1896 Range cowhand with Otis is Unaweep Canyon, CO

1891-1896 Farmed in western Kansas

1897 Married Mary Olivia Thorburgh

1897-1903 Railroad construction in Costa Rica with father

1906 Moved to Colorado Springs

1909 John S. Casement died

1915 Brought rustlers to trial in Colorado

1915 Took up permanent residence in Manhattan

1917 Troop ship, Tuscania, torpedoed and sunk off coast of Ireland

1917-1919 U.S. Army (Ft. Sheridan, 1917; AEF, France as head of second battalion of 27th Field Artillery)

1920-1926 Correspondence editor for Breeder’s Gazette

Charter member of American Quarter Horse Association
1924 Republican candidate for U.S. Congress from Kansas 5th District

1926 Appointed by Secretary of Agriculture William M. Jardine to review appraisal of grazing value of National Forests

1935 Became president of Farmers’ Independent Council of America

1939 Honored by Saddle & Sirloin Club in Chicago

1942 Mary Casement died

1952 Attended Republican National Convention

1953 Dan D. Casement dies on March 7, 1953

1958 Elected to Cowboy Hall of Fame

Acquisition information:
Acqusition Source: B Easterling Acqusition Method: Donation Acqusition Date: 19950831
Processing information:

Processing Info: Archon processing completed by Edward Nagurny, graduate research assistant, October 2014.
Publication Date: 2014-10-25

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by series and box.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
General note:

Published

Dacs citation:

Preferred Citation: [Item title], [item date], Dan D. Casement Papers, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.

Subjects

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Subjects:
Kansas life and culture

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