1.                  Daniel Cusac Biography (1790 – 1867)

2.                  Last Will and Testament of Daniel Cusac (1790 – 1867)

3.                  Last Will and Testament of James Cooper (1813 – 1867)

4.                  Last Will and Testament of John Cooper (1811 - 1891)

5.                  Obituary of John Cooper (1811 – 1891)

1.         Daniel Cusac Biography (Andrew John Cusac)

            “Daniel Cusac Was born in Mifflin County , Pa. , in January, 1790. His parents were natives of Ireland , and were married before leaving that country. Mr. Cusac came to Perry County, Ohio, when quite a young man, and there married Sarah Sellers, who died in October, 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, having survived her husband about fourteen years. Mr. Cusac came to this county in 1838, and took up his residence in this township, on the farm on which he died. He had ten children, nine of whom are still living. John and Mrs. Judge Cooper, two of the children, reside in Portage township. Two of them, Capt. Isaac Cusac and Mrs. Mulford, are in Pleasant township. The others, William, James, Mrs. John Reed, Mrs. James Cooper and Mrs. Robert Poe reside in Liberty township. Mr. C. had a limited common school education, but was a man of good strong common sense. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church for fifty years, and led an upright, honest file, respected by all who knew him.

            Unassuming and domestic in his habits, he made no figure in public, and although his counsel and advice was sought for, it was given with modesty and fairness, and for the best interests of those desiring it. He died at a good old age, loved and respected, and left to his children a good name, and his wife a good home.”

2.         Last Will and Testament of Daniel Cusac (Andrew Cusac)

            “In the name of the Benevolent Father of all. first my request is that all my just debt be paid 2^nd after my debts are paid I devise the control of my farm on which I now reside in Liberty township Hancock County Ohio containing one hundred and twenty acres for five years to farm to William Cusac in the same way that he has some years past for the support of my Widow or as much longer as may be necessary for her support. 3^rd I further will that my wife Sarah Cusac have my personal property to control as She pleases during her natural life. To sell or convey any personal property to pay debts or for her support. I further will that my money I have loaned. One hundred dollars to my oldest son John Cusac to be receited for to my Executor. and one hundred and twenty five dollars to my third son James M. Cusac to be receited for to my Executor, both without interest. All the receits against my Children to be counted against them without interest. I further will that Margaret Poe my Second Daughter, and Mary Ann Mulford my third Daughter, and Sarah Eleanor my youngest Daughter and William Cusac my youngest Son each receive 15 fifteen dollars. and the balance of money on hand my wife is to have to pay debts. After the death of my Said wife, I will and direct that all my personal Estate remaining undisposed of at her death are and my real Estate of which I may die seized of be divided among my children share and Share alike except Sarah Eleanor Cusac my youngest Daughter to have one hundred dollars.          Than as equal share, that if any one of my Children die before receiving their share, then their children to receive parents Share of my Estate. 4^th. I do hereby authorize my Executors to direct the Probate Judge to waive the appraisement of the Said personal property, and also I hereby nominate and appoint John Cusac and William Cusac two of my Sons Executors of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8^th day of April 1867. Daniel Cusac {seal} Signed and acknowledged by said Daniel Cusac as his last Will and testament in our presence and Signed by us in his presence C. Reninger {LS} William Renninger {LS}”

“The State of Ohio Hancock County f. Testimony taken in the Probate Court and for said County in proof of the last Will and Testament of Daniel Cusac late of said County, deceased. On this 1^st day of May A.D. 1867. personally appeared in open Court. Conrad Reninger and William Reninger the subscribing witnefes to the last will and Testament of said Daniel Cusac deceased hearing date on the 8^th day of April A.D. 1867. and being duly sworn and subscribed depose and say that they were present at the Execution of the said last will and Testament of Daniel Cusac hereto attached that they saw said testator subscribe said Will and heard him acknowledge his signature, and that said testator at the time of executing the same was of full age and of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint; and that they Signed same, as witnefes at his request, and in his presence and in the presence of each other. Conrad Reninger William Reninger, Which said testimony was reduced to writing Subscribed and Sworn to by said witnesses in court the day and year first above written. J. G. Barrid Probate Judge”

            Wills from Probate Court, Hancock Co, OH, Book 3 p. 118 – 119

3.         Last Will and Testament of James Cooper, Senior (husband of Nancy Cusac, Daniel, Andrew John)

            “In the name of the Benevolent Father of all I James Cooper Sen. of Liberty Township Hancock County Ohio do make and publish this my last Will and testament. Item 1^st I give and devise to my beloved wife in lieu of her dower, the farm on which we now reside. Situate in Liberty Hancock County Ohio, described as follows The East half of the North East quarter of Section five (5) Township two (2) North of Range ten (10) East. Containing Eighty five acres. be the same more or lef during her natural life. And all the Stock, household goods, furniture, provisions, and all other goods and Chattles belonging to me not herein mentioned at the time of my decease during her natural life as aforesaid. She however selling so much thereof as may be sufficient to pay my just debts. At the death of my wife the Real Estate aforesaid, I give and devise to my Children. Share and Share alike. Item 2^nd I do hereby nominate and appoint my Wife Nancy Cooper and Ashford Cooper. Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby authorizing and empowering them to compromise, adjust, release and discharge in such manner as they deem proper. The debts and claims due me. I do also authorize and empower them if it shall be necessary in order to pay my debts, to Sell by private Sale, or such manner dispose such terms of credit, or otherwise as they may think proper, any of my personal property. I desire that no appraisement of my personal property be made, and that the Court of Probate direct the mission of the same in pursuance of the statute. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7^th day of April A.D. 1867. James Cooper {seal}  Signed and acknowledged by said James Cooper Sen. as his last will and testament in our presence, and signed by us in his presence. John Cooper. Allen Cooper. (Proof of Will) State of Ohio Hancock County ss. Testimony taken in the Probate Court in and for said County in proof of the last Will and testament of James Cooper Sen. late of said County deceased. On the 15^th day of April A.D. 1867 personally appeared in open Court Allen Cooper and John Cooper of said County, the Subscribing witnesses to the last Will and Testament of said James Cooper deceased bearing date on the 7^th day of April A.D. 1867, and being duly sworn and examined, depose and say that they were present at the execution of the said last Will and Testament of James Cooper here to attached; that they saw the said testator subscribe said Will and heard him acknowledge his signature and that the said testator at the time of Executing the same was of full age and of sound mind and memory, and not under any restraint, and that they signed the same, as witnesses, at his request, and in his presence and in the presence of each other. John Cooper, Allen Cooper. Which said testimony was reduced to writing. Subscribed and sworn to by said witnesses in open Court the day and year first above written. Attest: J. C. Barrid Probate Judge”

4.         Last Will and Testament of John Cooper (husband of Jane Cusac, Daniel, Andrew John)

            “I John Cooper, of the township of Portage in the County of Hancock Ohio, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament, in manner form and effect following:

1. I do not intend to have any debts due or owing by me, at the time of my death, but allowed there may, I direct that the same together with my funeral expenses be paid by my beloved wife out of the moneys and personal property that I give her by this will.

2. I give and devise to my beloved wife Jane E. Cooper if she survives me The North East quarter of Section Number thirty two (32) in Township number two North of Range ten (10) East, and the South half of the South East quarter of Section Number twenty-nine (29) in the same township and Range aforesaid and all in Hancock County aforesaid. To have and to hold the said lands and tenements, and the soule issue and profits thereof for and during her natural life.

3. I also give and bequeath to my beloved wife if she survives me, all the moneys, chattels e---s, bills, securities, personal property and effects of every name, nature and kind of which I may be possessed at the time of my death, and authorize her to control collect and manage the same as her own during her lifetime subject however, that I direct her to pay out of the property mentioned in this item, any debts that I may leave at the time of my death, my funeral expenses and, and erect and pay for a monument suitable to be placed at the grave of myself and my said wife. The devises and bequests mentioned herein, in items Nos. 2 & 3, to my said wife, and gives to her to be in lieu of her dower in all the --d of which I may --- seized, and all provisions made for her as my widow by Statute including her years allowance.

4. Subject to the life estate of my said wife, I give and devise to my son Allen Cooper the following lands and tenements in Hancock County Ohio to=wit: The East half of the North East quarter of Section umber thirty-two (32) in Township number two (2) North of Range ten (10) East, of the County of Hancock of Ohio, containing Eighty Acres of land, more or less. Also the East half, half of the South East quarter of Section twenty-nine (29), in the same township two North of Range ten (10) East. To have and to hold the said premises to him the said Allen Cooper his heirs and assigns forever, subject however to the life estate of my said wife, as herein before stated.

5. Subject, also to the life Estate of my said wife therein- I give and devise to my daughter Phebe E. McAnnelly, The West half of the North East quarter of Section number thirty-two and the West half of the South half of the South East quarter of Section twenty-nine (29) all in Township two North of Range ten East in Hancock County Ohio. To have and to hold the said premises with the appurtenances to the said Phebe E. McAnnelly her heirs and assigns forever subject to the life Estate of my said wife in said premises as herein before stated.

6. I give and devise to my son James Cooper The East half of the North West quarter of Section thirty two (32), and the East half of the North East quarter of the South West quarter of said Section thirty two. All in Township tow North of Range ten in Hancock County Ohio. To have and to hold said premises herein devised to said James Cooper to him and his heirs and assigns forever.

7. I give and devise to my son William Porter Cooper, the West half of the North West quarter of Section thirty two, and the West half of the North East quarter of the South West quarter of said Section thirty two (32) all in Township number two North in Range ten East in Hancock County Ohio. To have and to hold said premises with the appurtenances to him the said William Porter Cooper, his heirs and assigns forever.

8. I give and devise to my Son John Cooper Jr. the following land situated in the County of Newaha and State of Kansas, to=wit; The South half of the South East quarter of Section number thirty-four in Township four, Range thirteen (13) East, containing Eighty Acres of land more or less. To have and to hold the said premises with the appurtenances to him the said John Cooper Jr. his heirs and assigns forever.

9. I give and devise to my Grand-children Amanda, Elizabeth, Allen P. and Linus A. children of my daughter Martha S. Ewing deceased the following lands, in Hancock County Ohio to=wit The South one hundred acres of the South East quarter of Section number thirty (30) in Township two North Range ten East containing one hundred Acres. To have and to hold said premises with the appurtenances to them Said Amanda, Elizabeth, Allen P. and Linus A. their heirs and assigns forever.

10. I have executed deeds to my children and grand-children, for the same lands herein devised to them respectively, for the purpose of further continuing their title interests, which said deeds I will hold without delivery until my death, and I direct my said wife after my death if she survives me, to deliver to the Devises, James Cooper, William P. Cooper, John Cooper and the children of our deceased daughter Martha, the deeds so executed for them respectively. And I further Will and direct that after the death of my said wife the Probate Judge of Hancock County Ohio, shall deliver to my son Allen Cooper and Phebe E. McAnnelly the deeds so made for them respectively.

11. As I have full faith that my said wife will pay all debts and funeral expenses to be paid and erect the monument as herein directed and believing that she will elect to do so, I do not nominate any Executor in and by this Will and I direct that no Executor, or administrator of my estate be appointed by the Probate Court nor shall my said wife be required to account in any manner to any person or persons during her lifetime for any part of my personal Estate.

12.  I further Will and direct, that should any devisee named in this Will refuse to accept the provisions of this Will, or attempt to contest the same, then the devise made to such, devisee as refuse to accept or contest this will shall become void, and the property herein devised to him her or them so contesting or refusing to accept shall be divided between my heirs concurring in the provisions of this will, according to the provisions of the Statute in such case evade and provided in the same manner as if I had died intestate as to said property of said devisee contesting or refusing to take as aforesaid.

I hereby revoke all former wills by me made and publish this as and for my only Last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and Seal this 18^th day of April A.D. 1891.

Signed by John Cooper and by him declared that the forgoing is his last Will and Testament in our presence and as signed the same as witnesses at his request and in his presence and in the presence of Each other, April 18, 1891.                    M. C. Whiteley

                                                                                                            Geo. F. Pendleton”

5.         John Cooper Obituary (husband of Jane Cusac, Daniel, Andrew John)

                                                   “JUDGE COOPER DEAD.

                                 An Aged and Prominent Citizen Has Passed Away.

            Judge John Cooper, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of the county, died at his home in Portage township on Saturday evening, of cancer and heart failure. He was aged 80 years, and had been suffering for a long time with the disease which finally took him away.

            Judge Cooper was born in Fayette county, Pa. , April 25^th, 1811. In 1812 the family came to Perry county, Ohio , where the Judge lived until 1830, when he married Miss Jane Eliza Cusac and in 1832 he brought his young wife to Portage township, this county, where he resided to the time of his death. At the time of his settling there, there were only seventeen families in the township, which included half of Allen. In 1847 he was appointed by the legislature as one of the Associate Judges of the county, sitting with Camaliel C. Barnd and Michael Price, and holding the position until the adoption of the new constitution in 1852. At that time the court had jurisdiction of all probate matters, in addition to the civil and criminal matters. In 1862 he was elected County Commissioner , serving for six years with honor and credit, He was also one of the first directors of the County Infirmary . In 1880 he celebrated his golden wedding, all of his children being present. He leaves, the wife who has been by his side for upwards of sixty years, and several children to mourn his loss.

            The funeral services will be held at his late residence Tuesday morning at 9:30, and interment will be made in Maple Grove Cemetery .”

6.       Last Will and Testament of George Mulford (husband of Mary Ann Cusac, Daniel, Andrew John)

            “In the name of the Benevolent Father of all: I George Mulford of Pleasant Township Hancock County Ohio, do make and publish this my last will and Testament. Item 1^st I give and devise to my beloved wife, in lieu of her dower; the farm on which we now reside, situated in Pleasant Township, Hancock County Ohio viz: The North East quarter of the North East quarter of Section thirty four (34) in Township Two (2) North Range Nine (9) containing forty acres more or lefs, during her natural life; and all the Stock, household goods, furniture, provisions, and other goods and chattles, which may be thereon at the time of my decease, during her natural life as aforesaid, she however, Selling so much thereof as may be sufficient to pay my just debts. At the death of my said wife the real estate aforesaid I give and devise to my children Margaret Mulford, Roseanna Allis Mulford, William Douglas Mulford and George B Mulford. If however either of my said children should die before the decease of my said wife leaving no children living at the decease of my said wife then the share of said property above devise to such a deceased son or daughter shall be devised to the other children as named aforesaid. Item 2^nd I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife guardian of my Daughters Maria Jane Mulford, Rosenna Allis Mulford and sons William Douglas Mulford and George B. Mulford. Item 3^rd I do hereby nominate and appoint my Margaret Mulford Executor of this my last will and testament, hereby authorizing and empowering her to compromise, adjust, release and discharge in such manner as she may decree proper, the debts and claims due me. I do also authorize and empower her if it shall become necefsary in order to pay my debts to sell by private sale or in such manner upon Such terms of credit or otherwise so she may think proper all or any of my personal property. I devise that no appraisement be made of my personal property and that the Court of Probate direct the ---- of the same in persuance of the Statute. I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made. The testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of November in the year 1866. George (X his mark) Mulford {seal} Signed and acknowledged by said George Mulford as his last will and testament in our presence; and signed by a witnefses presence. Moses Gault. Thomas Brown Jr. Probate of Will. State of Ohio Hancock County for Testimony taken in the Probate Court in and for said County in proof of the last will and testament of George Mulford late of said County, deceased. On this first day of May A.D. 1879, personally appeared in open Court, Moses Gault and Thoms Brown Jr. the subscribing witnefes to the last will and testament of said George Mulford, deceased, bearing date on the 11^th day of November A.D. 1866 and being duly sworn and examined, depose and say that they were present at the execution of the said last will and testament of George Mulford deceased hereto attached; that they saw the said testator subscribe said will, and heard him acknowledge his signature, and that the said testator, at the time of executing the same, was of full age and of sound mind and memory and not under any restraint; and that they signed the same, as witnefes at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence of each other. Thomas Brown Jr. Moses Gault. Which said testimony was reduced to writing Subscribed and sworn to by said witnefes, in open Court, the day and year first above written.

Attest.                                          S.J. Siddall Probate Judge”

                     Wills from Probate Court, Hancock Co, OH, Book 3 p 427 –428

That's it for issue #15. 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