
James E. Casey's life was a true rags-to-riches story. Born in 1887, he grew up in a poor family in Caldwell, Idaho.
He started delivering newspapers at the age of 12 to support his family. This early experience laid the foundation for his future entrepreneurial ventures.
Casey's determination and work ethic earned him a spot as a messenger boy with the American Messenger Service in Seattle. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a supervisor at just 21 years old.
He co-founded the American Messenger Service with Claude C. Hopkins, but their partnership was short-lived.
Early Life and Career
James E. Casey was born in Pick Handle Gulch, Nevada, on the 29th of March, 1888.
He grew up in Seattle, Washington, and would go on to found the United Parcel Service at a young age.
At 19 years old, Casey founded the American Messenger Company, which later became the United Parcel Service, with a $100 initial investment from a friend.
Casey became the president of the United Parcel Service in 1919 and held the position until his retirement in 1962.
He died in La Jolla, California, at the age of 95 on the 6th of June, 1983.
Founding and Expansion

James E. Casey founded the American Messenger Company in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 19 in 1909. He started delivering letters and messages to citizens in the city and surrounding areas.
Casey's ambition led to tremendous growth for the company, which merged with a local rival and motorized through investment in a fleet of Ford Model T motorcars. This marked the birth of United Parcel Service (UPS) just six years later.
By 1919, UPS had expanded to California and switched from using bicycles to trucks for delivery. This was just twelve years after its inception, showing the company's rapid growth.
UPS offered air service as early as 1929, but it was grounded due to lack of demand during the Great Depression. It returned in the mid-1950s, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion.
By 1975, UPS had expanded to offer its services throughout all 48 contiguous states of the USA. This was a testament to Casey's dedication to growing the company.
Today, UPS is a multi-billion dollar company and one of the Fortune 500 companies. It is also the largest courier company in the world by revenue.
Legacy and Retirement
James E. Casey's legacy is still felt today, thanks to the core values he instilled in the company. He retired as president of the United Parcel Service in 1962, but remained active until his death in 1983.
He was buried at the Holyrood Catholic Cemetery in Shoreline, Washington. His mausoleum is a testament to his enduring impact on the company.
Casey's leadership philosophy emphasized building up others, which he believed would ultimately benefit himself. He famously said, "One measure of your success will be the degree to which you build up others who work with you."
Overview
James E. Casey was a pioneer in the logistics industry, and his company, UPS, has a rich history that spans over a century.
UPS was founded in 1907 by James E. Casey and Claude C. Hopkins in Seattle, Washington.
James E. Casey had a strong work ethic and a vision for a company that could provide reliable and efficient delivery services to the public.
For more insights, see: List of Postal Codes of Canada: E

UPS started as a messenger service and quickly grew to become a package delivery company, expanding its services to include overnight delivery.
The company's early success was largely due to its innovative approach to logistics and its commitment to customer satisfaction.
By 1919, UPS had expanded its operations to include a network of delivery routes and a fleet of vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the James E Casey Scholarship for UPS?
The James E. Casey Scholarship is a program established by UPS to provide financial aid to children of UPS employees pursuing higher education in the US and internationally. Eligible students can receive scholarships to attend a four-year college or university.
How long was Jim Casey CEO of UPS?
Jim Casey led UPS for 55 years, serving as CEO until 1962. He held the position from a relatively young age until he was 74.
Sources
- https://www.archbridgeinstitute.org/jim-casey-the-entrepreneur-who-built-the-great-ups/
- https://issuu.com/supplychaindigital/docs/supplychain-april-2021/s/12049079
- https://atouchofbusiness.com/biographies/james-e-casey/
- https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/07/obituaries/james-e-casey-is-dead-at-95-started-united-parcel-service.html
- https://group.irishecho.com/2011/02/96-years-ago-james-e-casey-starts-forerunner-of-ups-2/
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