The Andrew John Cusac Family Newsletter--Issue 21

The Andrew John Cusac Family Newsletter
Issue 21

21 July, 2005

This is an electronic newsletter for those looking for information on the family or descendants of Andrew John Cusac (about 1750 - about 1816)

Send comments, questions, photographs or information to:
skratze@wcnet.org
skratze@bgnet.bgsu.edu

Note: John is the one male 0-10

Daniel Cusac: 1 male under 5, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 40-50, 1 female under 5, 1 female 5-10, 2 female 10-15, 1 female 15-20, 2 female 30-40

Note: John is the one male 10-15

Wm Bell: 1 male under 5, 1 male 5-10, 1 male 50-60, 2 females 5-10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 30-40

Note: This is the only William Bell living in Westmoreland Co, PA that is old enough to be Nancy Bell’s father. Nancy is most likely one f the two females aged 5-10. According her obituary Nancy was the last member of her family of 14 children. I am not sure if this means that she was the youngest of 14 children born or the last one living out of the 14 children.

I am still searching for John Cusac in the 1840 census. I suspect that he was living in another household as a farm laborer.

Note: Nancy is the female 15-20. She is living with her sister Letita Bell Morehead.

Note: the Jacob Mitchell and George Mitchell families were households 161 and 162 respectively.

1880 ED 173, Portage Twp, Hancock Co, OH Federal Census p. 344A/5 household 39 John Cusic, 60, married, farmer, attend school, Ohio, Penn, Penn

1900 ED 74, Portage Twp, Hancock Co, OH Federal Census p. 4A/151 household 71 John Cusac, May 1820, 80, m 59y, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania

Nancy B, wife, Aug 1822, 77, m 59y, 8 children, 4 living, Pennsylvania, Ireland, Pennsylvania

1910 ED 84, Portage Twp, Hancock Co, OH Federal Census p. 1A household 12 Sylvester J Cusac, 58, Ohio, Ohio, Ohio, farmer, general farm

“Sunday afternoon at his home in Portage township, John Cusac, a well to-do farmer, passed away from the infirmities of old age. He was 83 years of age. The funeral was held this morning at ten o'clock from the Blanchard Presbyterian church. There was a large crowd in attendance.

The deceased was born in Perry county May 23, 1820. In 1838 he moved to this county (Hancock Co.), where the remainder of his life was spent. He was married to Miss Nancy Bell, January 21, 1841. Eight children resulted from the union, four of whom survive. The deceased was a staunch member of the Blanchard Presbyterian church. In 1865 he was elected ruling elder. W.J. Cusac, J.S. Cusac, Mrs. Jacob Mitchell and Mrs. George Mitchell are the surviving children. George Cusac, of this city, is a nephew.”

“Mrs. Nancy Cusac, a resident of Hancock county for eighty-one years died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Mitchell, of Allen township. Friday afternoon at the age of ninety-four years, six months and one day.

Her maiden name was Nancy Bell and she was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, August 1, 1822. She accompanied her parents to Stark county, Ohio, in 1832 and come to this county in 1836 to live with a married sister, Mrs. Andrew Moorhead.

In 1841 she was united in Marriage to John Cusac. They spent many years on the home place now occupied by Robert Cusac and she made that place her home continuously until a short time ago, where she went to reside with her daughter where she died. While a resident of the above named place a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cusac which made four generations residents of the same house at the same time. Her husband died Apr 13, 1903.

Mrs. Cusac was the mother of eight children and the last member of her family of fourteen children.

The hardships and privations of early pioneer life aided her in strength and health which were only undermined by the gradual reduction of vital forces due to old age. Her physical condition was wonderful and she was able to walk long distances in her late years which would have tested the endurance of a younger person.

She had the distinction of being one of the pupils to attend the opening of the first school in Portage township. Allen Cooper, of Findlay, is now the only other surviving member of that school.

Two children survive this remarkable pioneer, Mrs. Mitchell, with whom she resided and one son, William J. Cusac, of Liberty township. Seventeen grandchildren and thirty-five great grand children also survive.

Funeral services were held at the home where she died, Sunday morning with Rev. W. L. Alexander, of the Presbyterian church officiating of which denomination the deceased had been a member for 75 or 80 years. Interment was made at Maple Grove, Findlay.”

Hancock County Herald, The (Findlay, OH) 09 February 1917 p. 1

4. 1912 article about Nancy Bell Cusac (wife of John Cusac, Daniel, Andrew John)

Portage Township Pioneer, Active at 90, Recalls Incidents of County History

A woman, who has resided in Hancock county for seventy-six years, who remembers the time when there were but three houses in the village of McComb and only four houses in Findlay, the village which has since grown to a city of nearly 20,000 inhabitants, is Mrs. Nancy Cusac, one of the oldest residents of Portage township, who knows as much about the growth and development of Hancock county from a forest to its present condition as any other living person. On the first day of August, 1912, Mrs. Cusac was 90 years old.

The life of Mrs. Cusac has been that of a pioneer, - a Hancock county pioneer. Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Aug. 1, 1822, she moved to Stark county, Ohio with her parents when she was only ten years old. Four years later, when she was fourteen years old, she came to Portage township and from that time she has resided on the same farm. The land is now tended by her son, Sylvester Cusac, in whose family she resides.

When she came to Hancock county, Findlay, the city which is now its capital, had not yet been accorded a place on the map. There were but four small log houses to indicate that the place was really a village and four families constituted its sole population. Possibly there were not half a hundred families in the whole county.

The place where Hancock county’s court house now stands was then but a cat-tail swamp, and to get through it without boots was almost an impossibility. The four houses were situated on the banks of the Blanchard river, probably near the point where the Main street bridge now crosses.

Mrs. Cusac attended the first term of school ever held in Portage township. The township afforded no school house, not even one of logs. School was held in the homes of the settlers or wherever there was a vacant room. The school attended by Mrs. Cusac was held in Bunion Culp’s workshop. To short terms constituted her entire schooling.

Since coming to Hancock county Mrs. Cusac had been a member of the Blanchard Presbyterian church. The society at first boasted of no especial worshipping place, but now owns a little church in Liberty township. For seventy-six years she has been a member of the church.

In 1841 she was married to John Cusac. The ceremony was solemnized by Rev. George Van Eman, minister of the Blanchard Presbyterian society, at the home of her sister, Mrs. Andrew Moorhead. To them eight children were born, four of whom are living. They are William Cusac, Sylvester Cusac, Mrs. Emaline Mitchell and Mrs. Adaline Mitchell, all of whom reside in Hancock county. William Cusac, the oldest, is 71 years old.

John Cusac died in 1902 at the age of 82 years. Since then Mrs. Cusac has resided with her son, Sylvester Cusac, on the home farm in Portage township.

Although more than 90 years old, Mrs. Cusac is able to do all of her own work and reads well with the aid of her glasses. She does her own cooking, washing and ironing and all of her housework. She has never known sickness, excepting occasional attacks of the ague.

Twenty years ago, when Mrs. Cusac was 70 years old, she missed the train, which would have taken her to within a short distance of her home on one occasion when she came to Findlay. Undaunted, she walked the entire distance of seven miles and suffered no ill effects.

Four years ago she visited her sister, Mrs. Sarah Johnson, who resides in Iowa, making the long railroad journey alone. She was then 86 years old. She has made many visits to the home of her sister in Iowa, the only surviving member of the family of her father, William Bell.

Could she write all the tales of her experiences from her coming to Hancock county, it would make a book of which few would be more interesting. In her life she has seen the county grow from a district covered abundantly with trees and other natural growths and inhabited chiefly by Indians, to one of the most prosperous districts of the state.”

5. Obituary of Naomi Jane Morrell Cusac (wife of William John Cusac, John, Daniel J, Andrew John)

“A long illness from pneumonia caused the death at 10 o'clock last evening of Mr(s). W. J. Cusac, aged 69 years, practically a lifelong resident of Liberty township. She had been seriously ill for the last four weeks. Her husband and six children survive.

Mrs. Cusac was born in Liberty township (Hancock Co.) Aug. 17, 1845. Her maiden name was Naoma Morrill, having been the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Morrill, pioneers of the county. In 1865 she was married to William J. Cusac, who had just been honorably discharged from the army. He was a member of Battery L, First Ohio artillery.

At this time Mr. and Mrs. Cusac settled down to the duties of the farm. In 1872 Mr. Cusac made his first investment in sixty-six acres.

Mr. and Mrs. Cusac lived in Findlay for one year a year ago, then they moved back to their farm on the South River road. Mrs. Cusac had been a member of the Blanchard Presbyterian church from her childhood, and was actively engaged in the church work in her younger days.

Six children who survive are: Joseph, Mrs. Bertha Shively, and Mrs. Charles Baldwin, of Liberty township; Charles, of Tulsa, Okla.; Mrs. Effie Graham, of Humble, Texas, and Mrs. Hattie Ford, of Marietta, O. One son, Frank is dead.

Funeral arrangements will be made as soon as word is received from the distant relatives.”

6. Obituary of Margaret Emeline Cusac Mitchell (John Cusac, Daniel, Andrew John)

After being confined to her bed for three weeks because of diabetes, Mrs. Margaret Emeline Mitchel, 70 years old, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fred Insley, in Portage township at 11 o’clock Sunday morning.. Mrs. Mitchel was the widow of Jacob Mitchel, former Hancock county commissioner, who died some time ago.

Mrs. Mitchel was born in Liberty township, May 18, 1844, being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Cusac. She had lived her entire life in Hancock county, being one of the pioneers of the county. Her mother is still living, being 92 years old, but despite her advanced age, she was at the bedside of her daughter during her illness.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchel, seven of whom survive, as follows: T.M. Mitchel, Parley Mitchel, and Edward Mitchel, of Findlay; Mrs. Fred Insley, of Portage township; Mrs. Earl DeRodes, of North Baltimore; Van Bertis Mitchel, of Portage township. There are nine grandchildren.

Two brothers and two sisters survive also. Her husband died July 11, 1906. She has made her home with her children since her husband’s death. She was a member of the Blanchard Presbyterian church for fifty years.

Funeral services will be held at the Insley home in Portage township at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning. Rev. W. L. Alexander, pastor of the church will officiate. Her body will be laid to rest beside that of her husband in Maple Grove cemetery.”

7. Obituary of Jacob Mitchell (husband of Margaret E Cusac, John, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Jacob Mitchell, a well known retired farmer, died Wednesday evening at 4:15 o’clock at his home, No. 200 Howard street. He had been confined to the house for eleven moths by a complication of diseases.

Mr. Mitchell was born in Portage township, Nov. 4, 1839, and was one of the township’s best known farmers until three years ago when he moved to this city to live a retired life. During his long residence in the county he held several township offices among which were infirmary director. The deceased was a solider in the civil war and was a member of Co. F., 21^st O.V.I. He was a member of Stoker Post and will be borne to his last resting place by the comrades of this order. Throughout life the deceased was an active Christian, being identified with the Liberty township Presbyterian church.

A wife and seven children survive to mourn the loss of husband and father. The children are Mrs. Lola Insley, Portage township; Newton Mitchell, Portage township; Mrs. Lillian DeRodes, Portage township; Vanbertus, Parley, Edward and T.M. Mitchell, all of this city.

The funeral will be held Friday afternoon from the late home at 2 o’clock. The services will be under the auspices of the Stoker Post. The body will be laid to rest in Maple Grove cemetery.”

Sarah L Cusac was born about May 1847 Hancock Co, OH and she died 10 March 1851 Hancock Co, OH. Sarah is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Sec A lot 137. Her tombstone gives her age as 3 years, 9 mos., and 26 days. There is no obituary or death record available for Sarah.

9. Obituary of Martha Abigail Cusac Mitchell (John Cusac, Daniel, Andrew John)

Mrs. Abbey Mitchell died at 12:30 o’clock this morning at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mitchell, in Allen township.

The body was removed to the Coldren funeral home. Funeral arrangements will be completed today.”

10. Obituary of George Mitchell (husband of Martha Abigail Cusac, John, Daniel J, Andrew John)

George Mitchell died at 2:30 o’clock this afternoon at the Home and Hospital from cancer of the bladder. He had been sick for a week, and was taken to the hospital a few days ago from his home two miles north of the infirmary in Allen township.

Mr. Mitchell was born in 1851 in Allen township, and has lived there all his life. His widow, Mrs. Abby Mitchell, tow sons and five grandchildren survive. The sons, Homer and Harry, both live in Findlay.

Mr. Mitchell was a member of the Blanchard Presbyterian church. The funeral will be held at 1:30 Friday at the home. Rev. Alexander, of McComb, will preach the funeral services. Burial will be in the mausoleum of Maple Grove cemetery.”

Note: George Mitchell and Jacob Mitchell were brothers. They were sons of George Alexander Mitchell and Rachel Switzer.

“Sylvester Cusac, son of John and Nancy Cusac, died at 6 o'clock Thursday morning at his home in Portage township (Hancock Co.), three miles southeast of McComb after an illness of one year from tuberculosis. Although being ill for that length of time, Mr. Cusac was not confined to his bed but one day. On Wednesday morning he said "was not able to arise."

He died on the farm adjoining the one on which he was born on Sept. 1, 1852. He was married to Miss Margaret Litzenberg, Oct. 9, 1880. She died Sept. 9, 1903. Mr. Cusac was one of a family of seven children. He is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Nancy Cusac who is 93, one daughter, Mrs. L. D. Nutter, of Loveland, Col., two sons, Robert and Loren, who reside at the same home, and three grandchildren. Delores May and Leroy Nutter and Robert Cusac, jr., all these were at his bedside when death came. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. George Mitchell of Allen township, and one brother, William Cusac of Liberty township.

Mr. Cusac has been a faithful member of the Blanchard Presbyterian church. Mr. Cusac resided with his son, Robert and family who lived at the old home. Funeral services will be held at one o'clock Sunday from the home conducted by Rev. W. L. Alexander. Burial will be at Maple Grove cemetery in Findlay.”

12. Obituary of Margaret Lucinda Litzenberg Cusac (wife of James S Cusac, John, Daniel J, Andrew John)

“Mrs. Sylvester Cusac, one of Hancock county's most prominent and respected citizens, passed peacefully away at her home three miles south-east of McComb this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock after an illness of fifteen years. Death was due to a complication of diseases.

The arrangements for the funeral have not been completed but the services will probably be held from the house Friday.

The deceased was 45 years of age and leaves a husband and two small children. The family is well and favorably known throughout the county. John Cusac, father of Mr. Cusac, died in the same house about five months ago. The deceased has many relatives in Findlay.”

“DIED - Thursday night. February 1st, 1883, at her residence on West Lincoln street, Findlay, Ohio, Mrs. A. W. Carr, aged 26 years.”

Note: This is Mary Belle Cusac who married Ashton W. Carr on 04 October 1882 in Hancock Co, OH. Mary is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery. Her tombstone reads Mary B Cusac.

According to her obituary and the 1912 article in The Weekly Jeffersonian, Nancy Bell Cusac was the mother of 8 children. The 1900 census states she had 8 children and 4 were living. The 1910 census states she had 7 children and three were living. However, at that time of the 1910 census she actually had 4 children living (William John, Margaret Emeline, Martha Abigail, and James Sylvester). I believe that there was a mistake in this census.

Arvilla A Cusac died on 10 July 1859. She is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, in Section A, Lot 137. Her tombstone gives her age as 0 years, 3 mos., and 0 days. She was probably born on 10 April 1859. This is the only evidence I have that she was born and died. There were no birth or death records kept in Hancock County at that time. The only place I have found so far is this information that was recorded was in the Maple Grove Cemetery records. I have yet to find a family bible or any church records.

Charlie A Cusac died on 21 August 1863. He is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, in Section A, Lot 137. The tombstone gives an age of 2 years, 6 mos., and 7 days. He was probably born on 14 February 1861. This is the only evidence I have that he was born and died. There were no birth or death records kept in Hancock County at that time. The only place that I have found so far is this information that was recorded was in the Maple Grove Cemetery records. I have yet to find a family bible or any church records.

Does anyone know anything about the Frank Cusac who died in 1869 and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery? He is buried in Sec A lot 90. I have no information as to his age.

If you have any Cusac family photos you would like to see on the Andrew John Cusac family web site please send them to Jeanne Griffin. It would be great to have all of the Cusac family photos stored in one place and accessible to all.

That's it for issue #21. 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