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1.      Obituary of Sarah E (MOORE) JOHNSON (1857 – 1946)

2.      Biography of the JOHNSON family

3.      Leo JOHNSON Obituary (1847 – 1932)

4.      Benjamin JOHNSON’s Civil War service

      5.   Some Putnam County Sentinel Death Notices (with corroborating Social Security and Ohio Death Records)

6.      Some KELLEY burials in St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Putnam Co, OH (Leipsic)

1.   Obituary of Sarah E (MOORE) JOHNSON (John Porter, Margaret RODMAN, Roseann CUSAC, Andrew John)

                                 Mrs. JOHNSON, 89, Of Assumption Dies Sunday

      Mrs. Sarah E. JOHNSON, 89, widow of Leo JOHNSON of Assumption died at 8:45 o’clock Sunday night in her home.

      Mrs. JOHNSON was born in Marion county, Indiana on July 20, 1857, a daughter of Porter and Mary Jane MOORE. She came to the Assumption community with her parents when she was six years old. She was married to Mr. JOHNSON in March 1876 and they moved into Assumption in 1906. Her husband and a daughter Mrs. Leola SMITH, preceded her in death.

      Surviving are two sons, Ben and Robert, both of Assumption, five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and a brother, C. H. MOORE of Pana.

      Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon in the Memorial Presbyterian church at Assumption. Rev. J. W. RANKIN, the pastor, will officiate and burial will be in the Greenwood cemetery with Leslie STAUDER, funeral director, in charge.

2.   Biography of the JOHNSON family. Benjamin and Leo JOHNSON married Margaret and Sarah MOORE (John Porter MOORE, Margaret RODMAN, Roseann CUSAC, Andrew John)

      JOHNSON BROTHERS are the prosperous proprietors of Maple Farm, Assumption Township, their residence being on section 21, and they are well known in this and neighboring counties, as they have been residents of Illinois for forty-three years, and for a third of a century their lot has been cast with the inhabitants of Christian County. They are numbered among the honored old settlers and most worthy citizens, and their many friends will be pleased to read the history of their lives in this record.

      Benjamin JOHNSON, the father of the gentlemen who are the subjects of this sketch, was born in London , England , June 8, 1799. He early learned the cabinet-maker’s trade, and in 1823 emigrated to the New World, first locating in Baltimore , Md. , where he followed his trade for a few years. Removing to Ohio , Mr. JOHNSON first located in Belmont County , in St. Clairsvillle, afterward going to Guernsey County , where he resided for a number of years, still working at his trade. While in Belmont County , Ohio , in 1826, he was married to Miss Elizabeth FOOTE, who was a native of County Cork , Ireland , and emigrated to America the same year Mr. JOHNSON came to this country. In 1849, he removed to Illinois , and settled in Greene County , where he and his sons entered into partnership with a Mr. HARDEN, and engaged in farming and stock-raising for ten years. In 1860, the family removed to Christian County , and purchased a tract of land located in Assumption Township . Here the father spent the last years of his life, dying in January, 1876, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, who survived him and passed away March 12, 1891, reached the advanced age of ninety years.

      The family of Benjamin JOHNSON comprised seven sons and two daughters, who lived to maturity. The eldest, Robert G. JOHNSON, was born in Belmont County, March 10, 1827; Wade F. was born in the same county, September 13, 1828; Margaret died in 1878; Edward was a partner with his brothers for several years, and after his marriage was a successful farmer of this county until his death, in 1882; Martha lives with her brothers; Walter was also in partnership with the brothers until his marriage, and engaged in farming until his demise in 1890, when he left a wife and two sons; William L. is next in order of birth; and Benjamin and Leo, both well-to-do farmers, complete the family.

      The firm of JOHNSON Brothers originally comprised the father and seven brothers. They bought land, farmed and raised stock, and carried on an extensive business for years. As the brothers married, they withdrew their interests from the firm, and at the present time it consist of the following: Robert G., Wade F. and William L. They own about eighteen hundred acres of valuable land in this county, besides other real estate and personal property. They first entered a tract of nine hundred acres of raw land, which they improved, and set out maple and other forest trees. This beautiful grove, so well known in the locality, stands near the home, and many of the trees now measure from twenty-four to thirty inches in diameter. The substantial residence, barns and outbuildings are kept up in good shape, and, surrounded as they are by the noble trees, make a most pleasing picture of a model farm. Three of the JOHNSON brothers served in the Union army during the late Civil War. Edward F. and William L. both enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, in 1862, and served until the close of hostilities. They were with Sherman , and took part in all the engagements in which that army participated, including the celebrated march to the sea. Benjamin J. enlisted May 14, 1864, for the one hundred-day service, but served about five months.

      Wade JOHNSON was only a lad when he planted one and a-half acres of corn, and cared for it until it was harvested. He has taken quite an active part in local politics of late years, and served for ten consecutive years as Highway Commissioner. During that time eighty miles of township roads were laid out and opened on the section lines. He also served for thirty years as Township Trustee, and for five years was President of the Assumption Fire Insurance Company, at the same time serving as Treasurer. Since locating in this county, the brothers have given their attention more especially to the raising of stock, and have a large portion of their land devoted to pastures. In politics they are all true-blue Republicans, and active in local politics. Robert JOHNSON, like his brother, has also held numerous local positions of responsibility, the duties of which he has discharged satisfactorily.

3.   Leo JOHNSON Obituary 1847 – 1932 (husband of Sarah E MOORE, John Porter, Margaret RODMAN, Roseann CUSAC, Andrew John)

                          LEO JOHNSON, 85 DIES IN HOME AT ASSUMPTION

      Paralytic Stroke Proves Fatal to Prominent Retired Banker of Christian County Early Today.

      Leo JOHNSON, 85, former president of the Illinois State bank of Assumption, and one of that city’s most prominent citizens, died early this morning in his home. He suffered a stroke of paralysis a week ago and this, coupled with hardening of the arteries, hastened his death.

      Mr. JOHNSON was born in Guernsey county, Ohio , March 6, 1847, the seventh son of a family of nine children, seven of whom were boys and two girls. His father, Benjamin JOHNSON, was a native of London , England , and his mother, Elizabeth C. FOOTT JOHNSON, a native of Dublin , Ireland . The father came to America in early manhood, settling in Ohio . In November, 1849, he moved his family to Green county, Illinois , and in 1860 they moved to Christian county, locating near Assumption.

      The decedent received his early education in Illinois . At the age of 29 years, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah MOORE. To this union three children were born.

      For many years, Mr. JOHNSON engaged in farming near Assumption. For 26 years he was school treasurer of Assumption township. In 1906 he retired from farming and moved his family into Assumption.

      Mr. JOHNSON for many years was a prominent figure in banking circles of Christian county. For many years he was a director of the Illinois State bank; later becoming vice president and still later being bestowed the honor of election to the presidency of the bank. He served in this capacity until his retirement in July, 1931. For many years Mr. JOHNSON was a member of the Assumption High school board of education. He was also a native member of the Memorial Presbyterian church, serving as an official board member. This church was built by his late sister Miss Mattie JOHNSON, in 1919.

      Surviving are his wife and three children: Mrs. Leola SMITH of Mattoon , Benjamin J, and Robert M. JOHNSON, both of Assumption. He also leaves five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

      Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Presbyterian church in Assumption. Rev. D. C. Bachelor of Mattoon will officiate. Interment will be in Greenwood cemetery, Assumption.

4.   Benjamin JOHNSON’s Civil War service (husband of Margaret MOORE, John Porter, Margaret RODMAN, Roseann CUSAC, Andrew John)

Benjamin J JOHNSON,           Assumption, Illinois

Enlistment Date:                        02 May 1864

Side Served:                             Union

State Served:                            Illinois

Service Record:                        Enlisted as a Sergeant on 02 May 1864

Enlisted in Company H, 145th Infantry Regiment Illinois on 09 June 1864.

Mustered out Company H, 145th Infantry Regiment Illinois on 23 September 1864 in Camp Butler , Springfield , IL

5.   Some Putnam County Sentinel Death Notices (with corroborating Social Security and Ohio Death Records)

Ralph Loy WILLIAMS (Mary Olive LOY, Martin Augustus, Margaret CUSAC, Daniel J, Andrew John)

      Ralph Loy WILLIAMS, 85, Leipsic, died 7:35 am Saturday, September 11, 1999, at Blanchard Valley Regional Hospital , Findlay . Services will be at 11 am Wednesday at Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Ottawa . Burial will be in Harman Cemetery , Gilboa. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 pm and Wednesday from 10 to 11 am.

                      13 September 1999 Putnam County Sentinel (Putnam Co, OH)

Ralph L WILLIAMS b. 20 June 1914 d. 11 September 1999; last residence: Leipsic, Putnam Co, OH; issued Ohio 1955 – 57; ssn 296-34-0514  

                                                  Social Security Death Index

Ralph Loy WILLIAMS b. 20 June 1914 Putnam Co, OH d. 11 September 1999 OH; ssn 296-34-0514; father’s surname WILLIAMS; mother’s surname LOY; died: hospital; years schooling: 12; burial; residence: Putnam Co, OH

                      Ohio Death Index, 1958 – 2000, vol. 32110 certificate 075259

                                                                   *****

Eileen A KELLEY (Thomas R, Thomas P, Phillip B, Mary Ann CUSAC, Daniel J, Andrew John)

6.   Some KELLEY burials in St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Putnam Co, OH

KELLEY, Annie E 1900 – 1901

(Thomas Price KELLEY, Phillip B, Mary A CUSAC, Daniel J, Andrew John)

KELLEY, Cornelia “Nellie” 20 Oct 1893 – 26 Nov 1960, Sec A

(Wife of Thomas Raymond, Thomas Price, Philip B, Mary A CUSAC, Daniel J, Andrew John)

KELLEY, Eileen A 04 Jun 1926 – 23 Dec 1999, Sec A

(Thomas Raymond KELLEY, Thomas P, Philip B, Mary A CUSAC, Daniel J, Andrew John)

KELLEY, Ella 1861 –1944, Sec A

(Wife of Thomas Price, Philip B, Mary A CUSAC, Daniel J, Andrew John)

KELLEY, Eugene R 11 Sep 1926 – 16 May 1980, Sec A, WWII

(John Frederick KELLEY, Thomas P, Philip B, Mary A CUSAC, Daniel J, Andrew John)

KELLEY, Price 1865 – 1936 Sec A

(Philip B, Mary A CUSAC, Daniel J, Andrew John)

KELLEY, Thomas Raymond 29 Jan 1898 – 01 Mar 1957, sec A

(Thomas P, Philip B, Mary A CUSAC, Daniel J, Andrew John)

KELLEY, Thomas M 14 Nov 1921 – 02 Dec 1944, sec A

7.   Obituary and Social Security Death Record of Ruth R SELLERS (Emery B, Leroy M, Isaac, Martha RODMAN, Roseann CUSAC, Andrew John)

                                                 Ruth R. SELLERS, 81

      A schoolteacher for more than 43 years, Miss Ruth Rosella SELLERS, 81, died at 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003 at Meadowvale Health & Rehab Center . Death was from complications of Parkinson’s disease. She had been in ill health the past 2 1/2 years.

Miss SELLERS retired in 1986 after 43 years of teaching in Wells County to a total of 1,185 students. She began teaching at the elementary level in 1943 at the Rockcreek School and spent 13 years there before becoming a first grade teacher in the Bluffton-Harrison school system in 1957.

Miss SELLERS graduated from Petroleum High School in 1940 as class valedictorian and earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education in 1943 at Manchester College . She received her master’s degree in 1965 at Ball State University . She was listed in the 1970 edition of “Outstanding Educators of America.”

Born near Poneto on May 18, 1922 to Emory Bing and Nora L. Doyle SELLERS, she is survived by two sisters, M. Margaret SELLERS and Dorotha D. SELLERS, both of Poneto. She was preceded in death by a brother, Leroy Thomas SELLERS.

Miss SELLERS was a member of the Baptist Church of Poneto. She was a past president of the Psi Iota XI Sorority, a member of Business and Professional Women’s Club, Wells Community Hospital Auxiliary, and the Retired Teachers and Indiana State Teachers Retirement Organization. She is a past officer of Alpha Phi chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Key Women Teachers, as well as a charter member and officer of the local International Reading Association Chapter.

Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Van Buren Cemetery with Rev. Roy NEVIL and Cliff RUSH presiding. There will be no calling hours. Thoma/Rich, Hewitt & Chaney Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Preferred memorials are to Parkinson’s Disease Research or the Wells County Foundation Scholarship Fund.

That's it for issue #11. If you come across any obituaries, documents, essays, photographs, weddings, births, or stories on your line from Andrew John Cusac that you would like to share, please pass them along to me. Feel free to forward this newsletter to others in the family who may have an interest in Andrew John Cusac's history or genealogy. Free back issues will be available for the asking. Do you have a question you want asked of the group? Email it to me and I'll include it in the next issue. Email: skratze@wcnet.org or skratze@bgnet.bgsu.edu                      Best wishes... Sheila