The office of police magistrate is one requiring peculiar talents and
close attention to details almost innumerable. It requires an intimate
knowledge of human nature and a knowledge of the law that applies to police
cases combined with the ability to decide quickly and with due regard for
the just claims of all conflicting interests. There are some model police
justices in the west and Police Magistrate Cassidy, of LaSalle, is one of
them. LaSalle is his native town, and he was born November 29, 1855, a son
of Thomas and Rose (McGuire) Cassidy, who were descended from historic Irish
families. Thomas Cassidy was born in New York, a son of Francis Cassidy, a
native of Ireland. At an early day in the history of LaSalle, Francis
Cassidy, with his family, took up his residence there. He lived there many
years, and died there at a ripe old age. His son Thomas, father of John J.
Cassidy, has spent most of his life at LaSalle and is still living there,
aged about eighty. He was formerly well and favorably known as a bridge
builder and general building contractor. His wife, Rose McGuire, was born in
Ireland. She bore him the following named children, who survive her: John
J., Thomas, James, Maggie and Minnie — the latter the wife of Nelse Nelson.
John J. Cassidy was reared in LaSalle and educated there at a
Catholic institution called the Christian Brothers School and favorably
known for the excellent character of its educational work. At this
institution he was graduated in 1871. His first experience in the business
world was as a dry-goods clerk. In subsequent years his business experience
was varied. He was at the head of a hotel enterprise at LaSalle longer than
he devoted himself to any other one interest.
In politics Mr.
Cassidy is a Democrat and is in all ways active in the support of the
principles and measures of his party. In local elections in LaSalle party
lines are not closely drawn and it is only in national politics that strong
partisanship is developed. In 1888 Mr. Cassidy was elected police magistrate
of the city. He was re-elected to the same office in 1892 and again in 1896,
and is filling it at the present time in such a manner that his continuance
in it is not even slightly problematical if he should consent to another
re-election. He is one of LaSalle's public-spirited citizens, zealous in all
good works for the town and devoted to the best interests of its people.
Extracted 19 Dec 2018 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 553-554.
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