Probably
the brother least known is Trimble Casey Meaders,
better known as Casey. Although he was actively involved in
the family business in Mossy Creek, Casey left Georgia around
1920 and moved to the Long Island area of Catawba County,
NC., to become a Journeyman Potter. Traveling from shop to
shop, Casey turned pieces for other shop owners. He soon established
his own shop, with a wood-burning kiln and dug his clay from
the Catawba River bottoms. Casey became very well known for
the quality of his ware. He taught several local folks to
throw ware, and some of their descendants are still in the
business today.
In 1923,
Casey married Essie Lee Fry, who was also from the Long Island
area. They had two daughters, Nancy Louise Meaders (Baker),
who now resides in Charlotte, NC., and Martha May Meaders
(Griggs), who resides in Claremont, NC., at the site of his
residence and second shop, which still stands today.
Casey
traded by horse and wagon through the western part of North
Carolina and he became even more well known for the beauty,
quality and durability of his work. Most of the pieces Casey
created were large churns, jugs, and vases that were 5-gallons
or more. Very few small pieces were made, although the few
that are still intact show the same quality and beauty as
his larger pieces.
Prior
to his death in 1945, Casey was unable to work for about 2
years due to declining health. When he passed away, his widow
and children had his second and final shop sealed, as it was
the day he last worked, as a tribute to the beauty of his
pottery and his creative talent. The kiln is long since gone
and precious few pieces of his work survive. But for his family,
the memory remains the same.
Trimble Casey
Meaders