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 or skratze@bgnet.bgsu.edu

This newsletter may be freely copied and circulated to anyone looking for his or her roots among our own. To join the group and receive free updates, just send me an email with your address and tell me which branch of the family you descend from or have an interest.

Contents:

1.         Census records for the Sarah Jane Barnhill and Robert Guthrie Lyans family.

2.            Obituary of Sarah Jane Barnhill Lyans.

3.            Obituary and miscellaneous information for Robert Guthrie Lyans.

4.            Biography of Nathan Bundy Lathrop.

1.         Census Records for the Sarah Jane Barnhill and Robert Guthrie Lyans family.

1860 Madison Twp, Jones Co, Iowa Federal Census p. 73/469 household 527

            Thomas Lyons, 38, farmer, 5000, 1460, OH

            Rebecca A, 32, OH

            Robert G, 7, IA, attend school within the year

            Amanda, 5, IA, attend school with the year

            Heber B, 4, IA

            Sophia J, 3, IA

            Thomas, 1, IA

1870 Madison Twp, Jones Co, Iowa Federal Census p. 2 household 11

            Thomas Lyons, 48, farmer, 7000, 3000, OH

            Rebecca, 43, keeping house, OH

            Robert, 17, IA, attend school

            Amanda, 15, IA, attend school

            Heber B, 14, IA, attend school

            Sophia, 12, IA, attend school

            Thomas L, 11, IA, attend school

            John E, 9, IA, attend school

            Minerva, 7, IA, attend school

            William L, 5, IA, attend school

            James L, 4, IA

            David O, 3, IA

            Mary A, 1, IA

            Lydia C, 1/12, IA, born May

1870 Scotch Grove, Jones Co, Iowa Federal Census p. 204/19 household 128

            J C Houser, 34, grocer, 1500, 7000, NY

            Martha, 34, keeping house, IN

            Christina, 21, teacher, NY

            Elizabeth, 15, IA, attend school

            John D, 12, IA, attend school

            Sarah J, 9, IA, attend school

            Kity S, 6, IA, attend school

            Martin, 2, IA

1880 ED 334, Center Junction, Jones Co, Iowa Federal Census p. 484B household 21

            Robert G Lyans, 27, dry good store, OH, OH, OH

            Sadie, 20, keeping house, IA, IN, IN

            Alice M, 11/12, b. Jan, at home, IA, OH, IA

1885 Madison Twp, Jones Co, Iowa State Census p. 126 household 113

            Robert G Lyans, 32, merchant, OH, Militia, voter

            Sadie, 26 b. Jones Co, IA

            Allie M, 4, b. Jones Co, IA

            Ida M, 3, b. Jones Co, IA

            Robert T, 0, b. Jones Co, IA

1895 Madison Twp, Jones Co, Iowa State census p. 387 household 159

            Robert G Lyans, 42, farmer, OH, Presby

            Sadie, 34,b. Jones Co, IA

            A Maude, 15, b. Jones Co, IA

            Ida Mary, 13, b. Jones Co, IA

            Robert T, 10, b. Jones Co, IA

            Martha B, 8, b. Jones Co, IA;

Jennie E, 5, b. Jones Co, IA

1900 ED 059, Madison Twp, Jones Co, Iowa Federal Census p. 1A/142A household 1

            Robert G Lyans, Dec 1852, 47, married 21y, OH, OH, OH, farmer

            Sadie, Dec 1863, 39, married 21y, 6 child, 5 living, IA, IN, IN

            Alice Maude, Jan 1880, 20, IA, OH, IA, teacher

            Ida May, Dec 1881, 18, IA, OH, IA, stenographer

            Robert T, Oct 1884, 15, IA, OH, IA, farm laborer

            Martha B, Feb 1887, 13, IA, OH, IA, at school

            Fannie B, Feb 1896, 4, IA, OH, IA

1910 ED 117, Jasper precinct, Hale Co, Texas Federal Census p. 7B household 121

            Robert G Lyons, 57, m 31y, OH, OH, OH, farmer, retired

            Sadie, 49, m 31y, 6 children, 5 living, IA, IN, IN

            Belle, 32, IA, OH, IA, stenographer, real estate

            Blanch, 14, IA, OH, IA

1920 ED 016, La Canada, Burbank Twp, Los Angeles Co, CA Federal Census p. 3B

            Robert G Lyons, 67, OH, farmer, fruit growing

            Sadie, 59, IA

1930 ED 1040, La Cresenta, Los Angeles Co, CA Federal Census p. 2A/27 household 35

            R G Lyons, 77, married at 27, OH, OH, OH, salesman/rancher, real estate

2.         Sarah Jane “Sadie” Barnhill (Martha Rodman, William, Roseann Cusac, Andrew John)

            Sarah was born 01 Dec 1860 in Jones Co, Iowa to Samuel Barnhill and Martha Rodman. She died May 13, 1947 in Los Angeles Co, California. She married Robert Guthrie Lyans December 31, 1878 in Center Junction, Jones Co, Iowa.

            “LYANS, Sadie, late of 4821 Palm Dr., La Canada, beloved wife of Robert G. Lyans, mother of Robert T. Lyans of Glendale & Mrs. Maude Lathrop & Mrs. Ada Ricklets, Mrs. El Rey Anderson of La Canada & Mrs. James A. Newton of Glendale, sister of Martin Hauser of Los Angeles & Mrs. George McCampbell of Los Angeles. Services Thurs., May 15, 2 p.m. at Peace Chapel, Kiefer & Eyerick Mortuary, 314 E. Harvard, Glendale.”

      Times, The (Los Angeles, CA) 14 May 1947

3. Obituary and miscellaneous information for Robert Guthrie Lyans (husband of Sarah Jane Barnhill, Martha Rodman, William, Roseann Cusac, Andrew John)

             Robert was the son of Thomas Lyans and Rebecca Guthrie. He was born December 11, 1852 in OH, and died December 31, 1949 in Los Angeles Co, California.

            “Lyans, Robert G., late of 4821 Palm Drive, La Canada, father of Robert T. Lyans of Glendale, Maud Lathrop, Ida Ricklets and Blanche Anderson, all of La Canada, and Mrs. James A. Newton of Glendale. Services Wednesday, 2 p.m., in Peace Chapel, Kiefer & Eyerick Mortuary, 314 East Harvard, Glendale.”

             Times, The (Los Angeles, CA) 03 Jan 1950

            RG Lyans, farmer and breeder of Red Polled Cattle; also corn & stock dealer, P.O. Center Junction, Madison Twp, Sec 4

               1893 Jones Co, IA Plat Book Patron’s Directory

In 1900 RG Lyans was the census taker for the Madison Twp, Jones Co, Iowa census.

4.            Biography of Nathan Bundy Lathrop.

Nathan Bundy Lathrop (husband of Alice Maude Lyans, Sarah Jane Barnhill, Martha Rodman, William, Roseann Cusac, Andrew John)

Nathan Bundy Lathrop Born December 3, 1880

            Nathan Bundy Lathrop, owning and operating a well improved and productive farm of one hundred and seventy acres on section 36, Oxford township, is numbered among the worthy native sons of Jones county, his birth having occurred in Oxford township, on the 3d of December, 1880. His father, Hon. George W. Lathrop, was born at Fremont, Ohio, on the 18th of March, 1836, and when four years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, the family home being established near Toronto. Two or three years later they took up their abode in Allen's Grove, Scott county.

In 1853, George W. Lathrop formed a partnership with his half brother, A. Courtright, for the conduct of a general mercantile establishment at Toronto, being thus identified with the business interests of the town for three years. On the expiration of that period they sold out the enterprise and, in association with their father, purchased the water power at Oxford Mills and erected a gristmill. George W. Lathrop was connected with the mill until 1868, at which time the property was sold to Robert McDonald. Subsequently he again entered mercantile circles. Establishing a store at Oxford Mills, where he built up an extensive and profitable trade. It was through his influence that the branch line from Davenport was turned from its course, already surveyed through Lost Nation and Smithtown, to Oxford Mills and Oxford Junction. In 1882, he purchased a farm of four hundred acres south of the Mills, where he was extensively engaged in the raising of thoroughbred stock, including cattle, hogs and sheep, until the time of his retirement in December, 1903. His remaining days were spent in well earned ease at Oxford Junction, where he passed away on the 3d of December, 1907. A stanch republican in his political views, he always took a very active interest in the work of his party and was honored by election to the sixteenth and twenty-second general assemblies of Iowa. He also held many local offices within the gift of the people, ever discharging his official duties in a most efficient and highly satisfactory manner. The following is an extract from an obituary appearing in the Oxford Junction Mirror at the time of his demise: "He was a man of unusually generous impulses, always on the outlook for really helpful acts to be rendered his fellowman and among the first to discover and relieve want and grief where possible. He was the founder of the first mercantile establishment, the first gristmill, the importer of some. of the finest breeds of live stock in this part of the country, and the primal cause for the existence of this city. He was an ardent supporter of our public school system and of his chosen political party, a man of the largest circle of acquaintances of any in this section, and a man whose loyalty to his town and state was never doubted." Uniformly loved, respected and honored, his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret and the community was deprived of one of its most influential and prominent citizens.

When a young man of twenty-four years, Hon. George W. Lathrop was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Amelia Noble, a native of New York and a daughter of Rev. Noble. Unto them were born six children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Frank Noble, a resident of Martelle; James Howard, living in Pierre, South Dakota; Nathan Bundy, of this review; and Gladys Marie, the wife of John Stuhr, of Oxford township. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in May, 1901.

Nathan Bundy Lathrop, who has lived in Jones county from his birth to the present time, remained under the parental roof until he was married, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist through the assistance which he rendered his father in the work of the home farm. He is now the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of rich and arable land on section 31, Oxford township, annually gathering bounteous harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. The property is lacking in none of the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He makes a specialty of propagating seed corn and in addition to his farming interests is also engaged in the raising of stock, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.

On the 31st of December, 1903, Mr. Lathrop was united in marriage to Miss A. Maude Lyons, whose birth occurred in Center Junction, Iowa, on the 31st of January, 1880. Her parents, Robert and Sarah (Barnhill) Lyons, are now residents of Plainview, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop now have a son, Robert Wendell, and a daughter, Ruth Mildred. They, lost one child, who died in infancy. Mr. Lathrop gives unfaltering allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. Both he and his wife are well known and highly esteemed young people of the community, having won the kindly regard and friendship of all with whom they have been associated.

       History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt,

      S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 266.

      I believe that the infant child referred to in the above article may have been Harold Wallace Lathrop who was born and died in 1904. He is buried in row 14 of the Mayflower Cemetery, Jones Co, Iowa.

5.         George L Cusac’s first day as sheriff of Hancock Co, Ohio (Isaac Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

           LEASE

            _____

Wars that Form a Portion

            _____

Of the History

            _____

  Of Early Days in Lima

       Oil Field.

            _____

     An Amusing Fight That Geo.

    Waldorf and Farmer

Dean Were In.

            _____

         Hancock County Sheriff Arrested

      Sixty-seven Men on One Farm

During the First Day of

       His Term.

            _____

            When Findlay became the greatest gas city in the world fifteen odd years ago little if any attention was paid to the priceless wealth of crude petroleum which was lying in wait for anyone with enough enterprise to drill wells. In those days gas was the sole object in drilling wells, and when oil was encountered it was regarded about as worthless as bass salt water. Of course if an unusual big oil well was struck, then the fluid was raised to the surface and sold, but it was a fact that many a well was pulled which would be considered wirth a barrel of money at the present time. Perhaps the oldes oil company in Hancock county is what is now known as the Genessee Oil company. This well known organization which now is considered to possess one of the finest combination of leases in Northwestern Ohio, was started about fifteen years ago. It was then known as the Duke Oil company with Judge Myers, now deceased, as the leading light.

            Times were quite strenuous in those days when it came to disputes over oil leases. The Duke Oil company, and another aggregation of producers from Lima, both claimed a lease on the George Whistleman farm west of the city. Among the leaders of the Lima company were George Waldorf and Farmer Dean, two well known producers. Now the Whistleman property was considered something fine as an oil property and both companies were bound to establish their claims of ownership. The affair kept brewing for some time and finally ended in fierce riot in which it is said that fully five hundred persons were implicated. The trouble started by the Lima people hauling a rig on the Whistleman lease. No sooner would a sili, walking beam or any other portion of a rig be placed on the ground, than the representatives of the Duke Oil company would hitch horses to the material and yank it spitefully off the farm and into the road. Each company had about 250 men in its service when the fight reached a climax. The two factions had been hauling the timbers back and forth with a commendable industry and it was feared that if something was not done to stop the sport it would be necessary to bring on some new material as the other had been nearly worn out by being dragged back and forth over the lease.

            Spectators watching the affair became satisfied that some one would be badly hurt if the battle was not stopped and finally it was decided to arrest all those implicated in the controversy. Accordingly warrants were sworn out but the names of only 67 of the men could be learned. It was Sheriff George Cusac’s first day in office and to arrest sixty-seven men in one day was certainly doing a land office business. In the meantime while the sheriff was busy making arrangements to “pinch the whole shooting match” as he termed it, things were becoming still more lively at the scene of the conflict. A walking beam, after a hard struggle, had been landed amid the triumphant shouts of the Lima Oil company’s men upon the spot where the well had been located. No sooner had the beam touched the ground than the Duke Oil company’s adherents hooked a team of horses to the piece of timber and started at a mad pace for the highway. The other party was not to be outdone without a struggle. Seeing the walking beam trailing after the team about a half dozen of the most stalwart of the Lima Oil company’s men leaned upon the beam and tried to hold it down by main strength. Their efforts, though commendable, were in vain and the sight of the men being hauled at rapid speed on the walking beam toward the fence furnished much merriment among their rivals.

            At this juncture when both sides were gathering for a terrific personal encounter, Sheriff Causac appeared on the scene and began to arrest the men right and left. It was during January of 1895, that thee sixty seven prisoners were conveyed to this city in bob sleds and other vehicles. The arrival of Sheriff Cusac stopped the lease war, and a short time after the courts decided that the Duke Oil Company rightfully owned the lease.

            A similar controversy occurred on the Henry Byal farm between the two companies, but the affair was not so serious as the other trouble.

            About 1894 the Duke Oil company merged into the Genessee Oil company, now managed by Messrs. Clinton S. Corthell and C.L. Casterline. At present the Genessee Oil company operates seven of the finest producing leases in the Liberty township field. – Findlay Republican.

      p. 3 Times-Democrat (Lima, OH) Tuesday 18 Jun 1901

6.   Obituary of George L Cusac (Isaac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

                        GEORGE L. CUSAC TAKEN BY DEATH

                    _________

                    Former Public Official and Pioneer Oil Producer Expires

                        ___________

            RITES ARE SATURDAY

                        ___________

                Was Stockholder of Concern Which Drilled Famous Oesterlen Well

                        __________

            George L. Cusac, 89, former public official of both Findlay and Hancock county and a pioneer oil producer, died at the Findlay hospital at 7:30 o’clock Thursday morning. Death was due to infirmities of age. He had been in failing health for several weeks but was not stricken seriously until a week ago Thursday when he was taken to the hospital.

            Mr. Cusac served two terms as sheriff, from 1887 to 1891. He was service-safety director during the administration of the late Mayor T. M. Mitchell in 1920 – 21.

                        Oesterien Well Stockholder

            Mr. Cusac was one of the original stockholders of the famous Oesterlen gas well which was drilled here in 1884 and which was the first gas well in northwestern Ohio, opening up the local territory as a gas field and laying the foundation for the boom which later developed in the community. He was the lat survivor among the stockholders in the enterprise which was known as the Findlay Natural Gas company. The well was located along the banks of Lye creek in east Findlay. A marker was erected and dedicated during the 1937 golden anniversary of the oil and gas boom in Findlay.

            He remained active in the oil and gas business for a number of years and was a drilling contractor for an extended period. He managed the extensive oil properties of the late C.L. Casterline, another pioneer oil producer here.

             Native of McComb

            Mr. Cusac came from pioneer stock on both sides of his family. He was born in McComb Oct. 5, 1854, the son of Isaac and Sarah (Van Eman) Cusac. Both of these families had lived in Ohio and western Pennsylvania for more than 150 years.

            He came to Findlay in his early 20’s and in 1880 was married to Ella Bigelow who died in 1922. There is one daughter Mrs. John (Inez) Munnich, of Oldwick, N.J., who was with her farther when he died, and a sister, Mrs. D.D. Dukes, 447 Center street.

            After Mrs. Cusac’s death, Mr. Cusac took up residence in the block which he had erected on the site of old Fort Findlay, on the corner of South Main and West Front street. Until the time of his death Mr. Cusac supervised the maintenance and renting of the block.

                Rites on Saturday

            Mr. Cusac was one of the original stockholders in the Findlay Country club and was a charter member of the Elk’s lodge. During the 50^th anniversary celebration of the lodge several years ago he was made a life member. Mr. Cusac had been a member of the Masonic lodge for 50 years and was a knights templar. He was affiliated also with the Findlay Rotary club.

            The body was taken to the Barnhart funeral home where services will be held at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon. Rev. W. E. Bradley, pastor of the First Lutheran church, will officiate. Findlay Lodge, No, 227, F. & A. M. will conduct its ritual service. Interment will be in Maple Grove cemetery.

            The omission of flowers has been requested.

                        Republican Courier, The (Findlay, OH) Fri. 22 Oct 1943 p. 1 & 9

Note: The T M Mitchell mentioned above was Thomas Melvin Mitchell who was George’s first cousin. (Thomas Melvin Mitchell, Margaret Emeline Cusac, Daniel J)