Simon Casady

Simon Casady (June 16, 1852 – March 25, 1928) was a prominent banker in Iowa, best known for his role in organizing the Des Moines Bank, which later evolved into the Des Moines Savings Bank. Casady served as the president of the Des Moines Savings Bank and the Central State Bank, as well as the vice president of the Iowa National Bank and the treasurer of the Bankers Life Association. Casady has been referred to as "the dean of Iowa bankers" in news accounts. He was a member of the Casady family, an influential lineage of bankers, politicians, landowners, and farmers who played a significant role in the early history and legislative matters of Iowa.

Life

Born in Des Moines in 1852, at 314 Fifth Street, in a house that later became the site of the Central State Bank, where he would later serve as president, Simon Casady was the son of state senator and judge Phineas M. Casady and his wife Wilhelmina Augusta Grimmel. Judge Casady was an early pioneer settler in Iowa and held prominence in both city and state politics. On June 1, 1880, Casady and his wife, Sarah Conarroe Griffiths, became the first native-born couple to be married in Des Moines, having their wedding at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul. A court case between Simon Casady and his brother Frank Casady, concerning inheritance from their father Phineas, known as Casady v. Casady, 184 Iowa 1241 (1918), was taken to the Iowa Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of Simon Casady.

Casady and his family resided in Rosebrae, a home situated on Prospect Boulevard in Des Moines. In 1920, a Casady family reunion commemorated the 40th wedding anniversary of Casady and Sarah, and notable attendees included Thomas Casady.

Simon Casady held membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was also a founding member and treasurer of the Des Moines Club, which is now recognized as the Des Moines Embassy Club.

Simon's wife, Sarah, actively opposed the extension of women's suffrage. In January of 1916, Sarah Casady established and led the Iowa branch of the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage (NAOWS). This organization primarily comprised middle to upper-class, college-educated Christian housewives.

Legacy

The Simon Casady Residence, built in 1905, is still standing and is located on 715 Hickman Road in Des Moines. The original address for the Simon Casady Residence was 715 Prospect Road, Des Moines.