John Stephen and Frances Jennings Casement correspondence

Due to her family's wealth, Frances received a formal education at the Painesville District School in Ohio, a rarity for children during this time. She later graduated from Painesville Academy in 1852 and attended Willoughby Female Seminary in 1855-56. Jack Casement met Frances, who was called "Frank" while he was working as a railroad contractor in Ohio. Shortly after completing her studies, Frances married Jack. 

The couple had three sons: Charles J. (b. 1861), John Frank (b. 1866), and Dan Dillon (b. 1868). Charles died at age 4 and John at age 19.

Realizing the importance of increasing production, Union Pacific's first vice president and general manager, Thomas C. "Doc" Durant hired General Jack Casement as the Union Pacific's construction boss. Casement brings military discipline and mass organization to the rail line. Sidney Dillon was one of the principal contractors for the Union Pacific during the building of the transcontinental railroad. For more information about the contract, see Union Pacific Agreement -

Jack Casement had spent the winter at Omaha preparing the ingenious box cars he used during the coming years. They were built atop Union Pacific undercarriages. The box cars served as bunkhouse, kitchen, dining hall, office, pantry, and supply depot. Each had a small arsenal in anticipation of trouble from Plains Indians. He had workers lined up (many of whom were former military personal) and was anxious to work. But the iron rails had to be delivered by paddle steamers on the Missouri River, and the river was frozen for most of the month of March.

Even though he has plenty of workers, the receipt of just a few  iron rails yet and uncompleted boarding cars largely hold up Jack in his work. In May, Thomas Durant hires General Grenville Dodge to be chief engineer of the Union Pacific. That summer Casement crews add 60 miles of track to bring the Union Pacific line to the 100 mile mark, thus guaranteeing UP the irrevocable right to continue westward, as stipulated in the Pacific Railroad Act.

On September 29, the Casement's son John Frank was born. In October, Casement and his crews passed the 100th Meridian line on the Nebraska prairie. Jack's family arrive home in Painesville in mid-November having spent some months in Omaha to be closer to him. Frances encourages Jack to come home to Painesville more often to help raise their son, a plea she would repeat over the years.

While Frances writes of her loneliness, their family, and visitors, Jack is focused on work. He and his crews lay track until mid-December while also preparing winter quarters in North Platte, Nebraska. The town becomes "Hell on Wheels" when saloons, prostitutes, and criminals arrive to profit from the crews . Jack doesn't leave for home until Christmas Eve. 

Jack returned to Omaha where UP contractor Sidney Dillon asked him to remain for a few days. Jack reported of others staying at the hotel including UP lead surveyor and construction engineer Samuel Reed and his wife as well as a Mr/Mr. McCormick and a Mr/Mrs Bruce. Creighton and Stuger are also mentioned. Jack may be referring to prominent Omaha businessman Edward Creighton.

Work of the railroad crews is stymied in mid-April due to water on the road, making it impassable.

Frances writes to her mother from Omaha of their train trip to the end of the tracks. She includes a short description of the new town of Julesburg, Colorado, which served briefly as an end of tracks town. She reports that Jack left with a large group for the Black Hills in Wyoming, possibly to scout out the next section of work. 

UP platted the townsite of “Crow Creek Crossing” on July 5, 1867, which became the town of Cheyenne, Dakota Territory, on August 8. The tracks reached the new town on November 13, 1867, with the first train arriving the following day. Cheyenne grew so quickly it was dubbed the “Magic City of the Plains.” Excited Cheyenne citizens held a celebration with Jack Casement as their honored guest. 

Jack Casement was such a popular figure that he was elected as Wyoming's first Representative in Congress. After a long struggle, Congress ruled that the election was illegal and Casement was never seated. Here Casement forwards a letter from Cheyenne citizens requesting that Luke Murrin be recommended as Assessor for the proposed Territory of Wyoming. Murrin went on to serve as Cheyenne's second mayor beginning in January 1868.

Frances is home in Painesville and writes to Jack of happenings among friends and family. She asks him to write her about his "doings and Washington affairs."

Jack notes how busy he is and, indeed, his crews had recently completed the Dale Creek Bridge, located about 20 miles southeast of Laramie. The bridge presented UP with one of its greatest engineering challenges. Casement remarks that the grading crews will be working west of Fort Sanders and expresses confidence that his crews can lay more than three miles of track per day, possibly reaching Salt Lake City that year.

Frances writes that she should stay in Painesville this summer; although not stated, she is expecting the couple's third child. She expresses gentle frustration over Jack's time away, including his work as a Wyoming representative. Attacks on the railroad by Native American tribes come up again. Jack describes the busy progress of the rails, explaining baking must be done night and day due to the number of workers. Although not mentioned, the rails reached Laramie on May 4.

Jack's letters are infrequent as he stays busy with the railroad and Wyoming matters, including the organization of Wyoming as a territory. Frances comments on the ill health of their son John Frank. 

Jack receives a letter from a Chicago man saying that men there are looking for railroad work. Constituents of the proposed Territory of Wyoming write Casement (their as yet unseated representative) regarding a man they recommend for U.S. District Attorney. On July 25, the Territory of Wyoming was established. H.M. Slade writes to Casement of his desire to be named Secretary of Wyoming Territory. The Casement's third child, Dan Dillon, was born July 13. Before the end of the month, Jack was back at work on the railroad.

Jack expresses his disgust with Benton, Wyoming Territory, which was one of the end-of-track "Hell on Wheels" towns. He also writes of troubles with stock animals dying due to overwork. By mid-month, track laying was going well, although Jack complains of a "great nuisance" of excursionists. Jack receives two more letters, this time from Michigan and New York, of men who would like to work for the railroad. Frances writes of family and friends is still recovering from childbirth.

Frances gently chides Jack over their long separations. By mid-month she expresses concern that she is not receiving letters from him. Jacks explains that he constantly has visitors to deal with. A man responds to the Casement's call for 100 more men.

The rails reached Green River, Wyoming Territory, on Oct. 1, 1868. Jack makes a very short visit to Painesville in early Oct. Frances writes that Dan Casement's wife Mary (also known as Mollie) is still unwell. Frances is upset that not only did Jack appear to forget their wedding anniversary on Oct. 15, but she has only received one letter in four weeks. Jack explains that someone is always visiting his tent or he is on the move. He notes that Thomas Durant is there and, while trying to hurry things up, is only creating delays.

Jack's niece Emily Hull asks him to assist her with her medical bills. Jack mentions that supply delays are hampering UP's plans to make it to Salt Lake City before heavy snows fall. He notes that Native American attacks are happening east of his location in Granger, Wyoming Territory. 

A letter from Frances on December 1 remarks on the death of their son Charlie three years ago. Jack may have returned hom soon after as that is the only piece of correspondence between them.

As Wyoming's congressional delegate, Jack receives a letter from a man asking for a recommendation to be U.S. Marshal for the new Territory of Wyoming. Jack writes to Frances from the terminus of Echo City, Utah, of the UP's dire financial situation.

Jack remarks early in the month that the railroad is still blocked by snow to the east, but his crews have reached Salt Lake Valley to the west. Supply problems threaten to delay completion. He has collected some money UP owes him. Jack remarks that he is not keen to meet Brigham Young.

Jack continues to write from Echo City, Utah. He notes there are rumors of trouble about the Pacific Railroad. A great rivalry existed between the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads. 

Wyoming Territory Governor John A. Campbell writes to Jack of his search for a man named James Paine. In late May Sidney Dillon requests Jack's presence in New York and urges hims to finish affairs as soon as possible.

Despite having received millions of dollars in government funding, shady bookkeeping bankrupted the UPRR and the company found itself unable to pay its bills. The Casement brothers were caught up in this issue when payment was due to them.

John Carbutt (1832-1905), a  publisher and printer of stereo cards in Chicago, briefly preceded Andrew J. Russell in working for  UP; however, Carbutt’s work for UP was more limited in scope. He was hired to document a promotional event celebrating the company’s progress: the October 1866 Union Pacific Excursion to the 100th Meridian. UP had completed almost 250 miles of rail nearly a year ahead of schedule to reach that point.

Photos labeled "Union Pacific Rail Road, Excursion to the 100th Meridian, October 1866.

The 100th meridian is often considered a rough border between the western and eastern United States.

Thomas Durant

The excursionists had trouble catching up with the construction crews, who were laying track at an incredible rate of almost two miles a day. They finally met them some 40 miles past the 100th meridian, and celebrated with another lavish meal and an hour-long fireworks show.

Photos labeled "Union Pacific Rail Road, Excursion to the 100th Meridian, October 1866."

Thomas Durant made sure to let the world hear about the event by inviting reporters from the major newspapers.

Photos labeled "Union Pacific Rail Road. Excursion to the 100th Meridian, October 1866."

The Burnettizing works were constructed in 1865. The plant treated mainly cottonwood ties under pressure with zinc chloride. This method is called Burnettizing, after its 1838 inventor, William Burnett. However, problems began right from the start. The handcut ties were too large and the zinc chloride solution was too strong, which resulted in brittle ties.  This was a common problem with early Burnettizing.  Also, the plant was not big enough to handle the vast numbers of ties used in the rapid construction of the transcontinental railroad.

Photos labeled "Union Pacific Rail Road, Excursion to the 100th Meridian, October 1866."

Upon landing in Omaha, the excursionists were up at an early hour ato visit the Union Pacific's extensive depots and machine shops.

Photos labeled "Union Pacific Rail Road, Excursion to the 100th Meridian, October 1866."

Alfred A. Hart, born in Norwich, Connecticut on March 16, 1816, was the principal photographer for the Central Pacific Railroad during the construction of the Overland Route. He photographed the construction from 1865 to 1869 when the last spike was driven by Leland Stanford at Promontory, Utah on May 10, 1869.

Western Reserve agriculturalist Charles Clement Jennings built the Casement House, also known as the "Jennings Place," for his daughter Frances Jennings Casement in 1870. Designed by Charles W. Heard, son-in-law and student of Western Reserve master builder Jonathan Goldsmith, it was built in the Italianate style and featured ornate black walnut woodwork, elaborate ceiling frescoes, and an innovative ventilation system. 

The notice not only describe Dan Casement's life (1835-1881) but that of his business relationship with his brother Jack Casement. Also described is a near-death experience that occurred to Dan just before the Union Pacific railroad completion. Dan Casement left behind a wife, Mary, and three children. 

A tribute that appeared on December 17, 1909, in The Painesville Telegraph. He had suffered ill health since he and his wife had visited San Jose, California, in April 1906 when a massive earthquake shook nearby San Francisco. He was pinned to his bed and suffered three broken ribs when parts of the hotel collapsed.

A biographical tribute to Frances Jennings Casement upon her death on August 24, 1928.