Josiah E. Cass was born in Persia, Carraraugus County, New York, in 1848. He was the eldest son of Daniel, a painter, and his wife Emeline P. Cass. Soon after, the family moved to DeKalb County, Illinois.

Josiah enlisted at Gilmanton, Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in Co. B, 7th Wisconsin Infantry on October 15, 1864. He served until July 3, 1865, when he was mustered out.

By 1870, the family had moved to Eau Claire, where Josiah worked as a store clerk. Four years later, he married Catherine E. Pitkin, the only child of Nelson and Catherine H. (nee Robertson) Pitkin. His wife was born October 17, 1854 in Wisconsin. His wife's father had died in 1866 and so Josiah's mother-in-law lived with the couple for a time. By 1880, Josiah had received his druggist's license and later managed his own drug sore in Eau Claire.

On February 28, 1910, Josiah applied for a veteran's pension.

He died in December 1947 at the age of 99.

From Eau Claire, Wis. directories 1889-1893
U.S. Federal Census for 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910 and 1930

Research by Br. Joel G. Schanning

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