C. F. Cassaday submitted by Conley Wolterman Denison was the proprietor of a drug store in the western part of the state. He came here at an early day and identified with the interests of the city and county. He was an early settler and a prominent and highly respected business man. C. F. Cassaday was born south of Quincy, Illinois, February 6, 1842, son of J. W. and Nancy A. (Wasson) Cassaday, natives of Kentucky and descended from the first families of Kentucky and Virginia. J. W. Cassaday, his father, was a prominent physician practicing in Kentucky, Missouri, and Illinois. Grandfather Cassaday, a Methodist minister, lived to be over a hundred years old. C. F. Cassaday, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools in Illinois, and completed his education with a course in a commercial college in that state. When a boy, he clerked in a general store, and after he grew up, entered the employ of John V. Farwell & Co., Chicago, with whom he remained 7 years. In 1867, he started West by stage, looking for a location, and had many trying experiences before getting as far as Denison, the heavy snows rendering travel difficult. Here he was snowed in for 11 days. While waiting to get out, he decided to remain in Denison. He established himself in the general merchandise business, opening up a stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, hats, and caps, etc. He conducted this business until 1879 when he purchased the old Commercial House, later known as the Fargo House. This old hostelry he ran for some 3 years, after which he accepted a position in the W. A. McHenry Bank, remaining there until the latter part of 1885. In February, 1886, he purchased an interest in the drug business, succeeding Mr. Evers, who was in partnership with Mr. McAhren, and under the firm name of McAhren & Cassaday, the business was conducted until the spring of 1892, since which time Mr. Cassaday was the sole proprietor. He was one of the first councilman in Denison and served for a number of years. He was a member of the School Board for a long time. He was interested in the erection of the following buildings: The old Chicago store, the Goldheim building, the Ivens Block, the Knoul drug store building, and some residence property. He had a fine residence at the extreme north end of Main street, situated in a natural grove. He was one of the stockholders of the old Fair Association, and served as secretary of the same for a number of years. He was married in Denison February 3, 1868, to Hellen M. McHenry, daughter of J. V. McHenry, and a native of New York State. They had 3 children, two sons and one daughter. The older son, Leon M., was a graduate of Des Moines College, a member of the Class of 1892. The other son was Ralph S. Cassaday.

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