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. Obituary of Andrew
J Cusaac of Shelbyville, IL
2. John M Cusaac biography.
3. Obituaries of Lucinda Cusac Yost and her husband Robert M. Yost.
4. Obituaries for Andrew Ensminger, his wife Mary Stewardson and their son
Charles Ensminger, Sr.
5. Obituaries for Richard Moorhead and his wife Phyllis Jane Good.
6. Obituary for Mary A. Mulford.
7. Veterans missed and
corrections to last issue of the Newsletter.
8. Hancock County, OH obituary
index online.
_____________________________________________________________________________
1.
Andrew J Cusaac obituary (Andrew C, Andrew J Cusac)
This obituary appeared in the Shelbyville Leader (Shelbyville, IL)
newspaper. I requested this obituary from the Shelbyville Historical
Society. Unfortunately, they did not cite the date this obituary appeared in
this newspaper. We can assume that it appeared sometime after 19 Nov 1888.
Note: Andrew J Cusaac is buried in Glenowwd Cemetery, Shelbyville, Shelby
Co, IL.
"Mr. A. J. Cusaac, who had been sick with lung troubles for
about all summer and fall, died last Monday morning at the Cusaac residence,
two miles north of the city, and was buried Tuesday afternoon. Deceased was
one of Shelby county's best citizens and will be greatly missed in
Shelbyville in particular, where he was best known and most highly
appreciated. He leaves one brother, John, and several sisters, who were
greatly attached to him, and whose sorrow over his demise is deeper and will
prove more lasting than the sympathizing friends at present realize. The
LEADER, in common with the numerous friends of deceased and family, extends
sympathy to the bereaved."
_____________________________________________________________________________
2.
John M Cusac (Andrew C, Andrew J Cusac)
"John M Cusaac, It is contrary to the principles of true
political economy to encourage celibacy and discourage marriage, and the
historian regrets the necessity of occasionally chronicling the fact that a
man of noble life, integrity and honor, has been content to live a life of
single blessedness and has not made himself a true home by placing at his
side a companion who would double his joys and halve his sorrows. Yet when a
single life has been conducted so nobly and unselfishly as has that of our
subject, the writher willingly touches lightly upon this dereliction from
duty and is willing to paint in light colors the life of this worthy man.
Our subject was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1825 being the son of Andrew
Cusaac, a native of Pennsylvania, and Jane Shaw, who was born in the same
state. His parents settled in Perry County, Ohio, in 18134 and there made
their home through life. William died in Perry County, and Jane who married
Mr. Ensminger, resides with our subject. Caroline married Jacob Diehl and
her death occurred in June 1890. Two children, James and Celia survive her.
Mary married Cornelius Axline and died in Muskingum County, Ohio, having two
children, William and Matilda. Lucinda is the wife of Robert Yost and Sarah
M an unmarried sister, resides with our subject. Mr. Cusaac has ever been a
kind and affectionate brother to his sisters and their comfort and support
in times of trial.
Mr. Cusaac first located on section 29, Shelbyville Township, when he came
to this county, and he here purchased nearly eight hundred acres of land. In
this he was joined by his brother, A. J. About the year 1864 he purchased
the farm upon which he now resided and upon which he erected a pleasant
home, excellent barns and other substantial and handsome improvements, so
that it is now counted as the best improved farm in Shelbyville Township,
and comprises some four hundred acres of land. His political views bring him
into affiliation with the party which is proud to claim the names of
Jefferson and Jackson, but he is not a politician nor wire puller and has
steadfastly declined to accept office. He is a supporter of the Presbyterian
Church to which his sisters belong and is warmly interested in the cause of
Christianity, although not a church member. His industry, economy and thrift
have placed him upon a substantial footing and given him the respect of his
fellow-citizens. He settled in this county in 1866, and his pleasant home is
located just outside the city limits of Shelbyville."
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
OF SHELBY & MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS, 1891, by Professor William E
McCormick, p. 291
___________________________________________________________________________
3.
Obituaries for Lucinda Ann Cusac (Andrew C, Andrew John Cusac) and her
husband Robert M. Yost
The Shelbyville Democrat, Thursday, 01 April 1915
"The funeral of Mrs. Yost, whose demise was briefly mentioned in last
week's Democrat, was held from the residence of Mrs. Emma McCormick, with
whom she made her home, at 2:30 Thursday afternoon, Rev. J. A. Tracy of the
Presbyterian church officiating. Interment was made at Glenwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Lucinda Ann Yost was born near Buckeye Cottage, Perry County,
Ohio, December 18, 1832, and was youngest of ten children - three sons and
seven daughters - born to Andrew and Jane Cusaac, who were early settlers of
that section of the state. She was married to Robert M. Yost, who died June
24, 1904, on the 14th August 1851. Two children were born to this union -
Alice who died a number of years ago, and B. S. Yost, a member of the
implement firm of Yost & Andes. Mrs. Yost leaves no brothers or sisters,
as all have crossed the river before her.
The family moved from Ohio to Illinois in 1865, and with the exception of
twelve years in which they lived on a farm a few miles south of the city,
Shelbyville was their home.
Mrs. Yost united with the Presbyterian church near her early home at the age
of fifteen years, and when she came to Illinois transferred her membership
to the Presbyterian church of Shelbyville, remaining a faithful member to
her death and always attended divine worship and maintaining her in the
affairs of the church when her health permitted.
She was devoted to her home and her family and possessed the rare qualities
of mind and heart that make a woman an ideal wife, mother and friend. Many
persons join the son in sincere sorrow of her death."
Shelbyville Democrat, 30 June 1904, p. 1
SUDDEN DEATH, Robert M. Yost One of Shelbyville's Most Prominent
Citizens Suddenly Called. Had Been Afflicted With Heart Trouble 20 Years.
The Many friends of Robert M. Yost were shocked Friday morning when they
learned that he had passed away at an early hour that morning. Mr. Yost had
been a sufferer with heart trouble for the past 20 years and to his
immediate relatives his condition was well known and his suddenŠ gave them
a great shock, Š entirely unexpectedŠ retired ThursdayŠ
Note: The article had a large blotch covering the rest of the article.
______________________________________________________________________________
4.
Obituary for Andrew C Ensminger (Jane Marie Cusac, Andrew C, Andrew John)
his wife Mary Stewardson and their son Charles Ensminger Sr.
30 November 1919 Shelbyville Democrat p. 1
"A. C. Ensminger Dies.
Andrew Ensminger, who has been ill for many months suffering from a
complication of diseases, passed away at 6 o'clock Monday evening at his
home on North Broadway.
Mr. Ensminger was born in Perry county, Ohio, July 2, 1845, and was the son
of Andrew and Jane Ensminger. The father died in Mr. Ensminger's early
boyhood and he and his mother came to Illinois in 1865. After coming here,
Mr. Ensminger farmed during the summer months and taught school in the
winter. In 1878 Mr. Ensminger and J. H. Horn formed a partnership and opened
a clothing store in Shelbyville. Several years later the store and its
contents were totally destroyed by fire, after which the partners dissolved
and went out of business. For a number of years Mr. Ensminger owned the
valuable business block now occupied by the N. H. Foster jewelry store,
selling out a few years ago to Mr. Foster.
Mr. Ensminger was married to Mary Stewardson in 1880, and to this union two
children were born. They are Charles Ensminger of Chicago and Eva, wife of
Ralph B Lantz of this city, both of whom survive. Mrs. Ensminger died about
10 years ago."
Note: Andrew C. Ensminger is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville,
Shelby Co, IL
The following obituary was sent to me by the Shelbyville Historical Society.
There is no paper or date noted. It is most likely from a Shelbyville paper
from late March or early April 1911. Mary is buried in Glenwood Cemetery,
Shelbyville, Shelby Co, IL
"Mrs. Mary Stewardson Ensminger, wife of Andrew Ensminger died
at her home in this city, Sunday, March 19, 1911. Age, 58 years. She was the
eldest daughter of Mr. William and Mrs. Nancy M. Douthit Stewardson. She
lived in this county all her life. She leaves in sorrow, her husband, son
Charles, of Indianapolis, and a daughter Eva, who graduates in the High
School here this spring; also, her aged mother and three sisters; Mrs. Thos.
N. Robinson, of Stewardson and Misses Anna and Ella of this city, and a host
of relatives and friends who knew her only to love her because of her
gracious qualities of mind and heart. She was a member of the Presbyterian
church. The service of sorrow was conducted by Rev. John R. Tracy, the
Presbyterian minister, assisted by the editor of this paper, cousin of the
deceased. Being dead she still speaks:
"Let now the shadow of my lossŠ
Darken the paths of the living tread;
But let the memories of my past
Still cheer and help them though I am dead.
My heart now still, no longer aches;
But weary thousands, watch and wake
Through dreary nights and hopeless days:
Help them before their sad hearts break.
Cherish my memory in your heart!
But lest it grow a selfish thing,
Make channels for a thousand streams,
Of which my love shall be the Spring."
"Charles Ensminger Sr. Killled in Chicago
Charles Ensminger, Sr., a former Shelbyville resident, was instantly killed
at 2:45 a.m. Saturday in Harvey, Illinois. Mr. Ensminger was a yard
conductor for the Illinois Central railroad and met his death while on duty.
He and been in the employ of the Illinois Central for over 25 years.
Charles was the son of A.C. and Mary Stewardson Ensminger and was born in
Shelbyville April 8, 1886 where he attended the public schools and grew to
manhood.
For the past twenty five years he has lived in Melrose Park, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his only sister, Mrs. Ralph B.
Lantz.
Surviving are his two sons, J.C. Ensminger of Melrose Park and Charles
Ensminger Jr., of San Gabriel, California.
The remains have been brought to the Ralph B. Lantz Funeral home where
funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Burial will be in
Glenwood cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 p.m. Monday."
This obituary was sent from the Shelbyville Historical Society. There was no
notation as to the name of the paper but there was a handwritten note with
the date of 11-6-48. I am unsure if it is June 11 or Nov 6. The paper is
most likely a Shelbyville, IL newspaper.
_______________________________________________________________________________
5.
Obituaries for Richard Moorhead (Ethel Morrison, Sylvia Cusac Moorison,
Issac Cusac, Daniel) and his wife Phyllis Jane Good
The following obituary was sent to me from Martha Kincade on 20 Jan 2004.
Richard Harry Moorhead - Courier, The (Findlay, OH) 06 January 2004
"Richard Harry Moorhead 87, of Findlay, died at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec.
31, 2003 at Sunrise Assisted Living.
He was born April 24, 1916 in Findlay to Charles E. and Ethel (Morrison)
Moorhead. He married Phyllis Jane Good June 4, 1941 in their family home in
Tiffin and she survives in Findlay.
Also surviving are two daughters, Karen Moorhead, Findlay; and Linda Kapp; a
son, David of Ashley; a brother, Robert of Pemberville; and a sister, Sarah
Ellen Goodwin, Aiken, S.C.
Preceding him in death are two sisters, Katherine Moorhead and Marie
Moorhead, M.D.
Mr. Moorhead retired as news editor for the Findlay "Republican
Courier," retiring in March 1981 after 43 years of service.
He was a graduate of Findlay High School and the Ohio State University
School of Journalism. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and participated in
R.O.T.C. at Ohio State. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. He was
a 20-plus gallon blood donor with the American Red Cross and also donated
platelets. He volunteered at the Salvation Army and Blanchard Valley
Hospital, was a life member of the NRA and was an avid baseball fan, rooting
for the New York Yankees. He was also a former member of the noon Kiwanis.
A memorial service will be held
at a later date.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 2330 S. Main St.,
Findlay, 45840; or a charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements are by Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home."
The following obituary was sent to me from Martha Kincade on 20 Feb 2004.
Phyllis Moorhead - Courier, The (Findlay, OH) Saturday 14 Feb 2004
"Phyllis Jane Moorhead, 87, of Findlay, died at 2:50 a.m. Thursday,
Feb. 12, 2004 at Blanchard Valley Regional Health Center.
She was born Aug. 29, 1916 in Flat Rock to Merritt B. and Lavinia (Johnson)
Good. She married Richard Harry Moorhead on June 4, 1941 in Tiffin and was a
devoted wife until he died Dec. 31, 2003.
Surviving are two daughters, Karen Moorhead, Findlay; and Linda Kapp,
Orlando, Fla.; a son, David of Ashley; two sisters, Pauline Metzger, San
Marcos, Texas; and Lois Stoehr, Naples, Fla.; and three grandchildren,
Susanne Crabtree, Naperville, Ill.; Scott Charles Kapp, Columbus; and Kyle
David Moorhead, Ashley.
She retired in 1975 as a teacher for Findlay City Schools at Jacobs and
mostly at Lincoln Elementary Schools, and at one time taught in a one-room
schoolhouse.
She was a 1934 graduate of Tiffin Columbian High School, a graduate of
Bowling Green State University and took post-graduate courses at Ohio
Northern University. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and
American Association of University Women. Following retirement she
volunteered at First Presbyterian Church Preschool and volunteered at the
BVH Auxiliary Nearly New Shop for over 20 years. She was also an avid Bridge
player, playing in several different clubs, and was an avid Findlay High
School sports fan, who listened to all radio broadcasts. She also rooted for
the Detroit Tigers, Lions and Pistons.
A memorial service for Richard and Phyllis Moorhead will be held at a later
date under the direction of Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to American Association of University Women
Educational Foundation, 1111 Sixteenth St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036; or
First Presbyterian Church, 2330 S. Main St., Findlay, 45840."
_____________________________________________________________________________
6.
Mary A Mulford's obituary was sent to me by Gail Kelley Murray on 31 Dec
2003.
I got this from a relative and
transcribed it complete with the original typo's. The paper it is written on
is like parchment. It was in pretty bad shape and the bottoms of the 4
pages were cut off, so that last sentence sort of just trails off...
"Mary A. Mulford was born in Perry County, O., May 4, 1824. She
was the fifth of a family of nine children born to Daniel and Sarah Cusac.
Four of these children preceded her to the world beyond so that she was not
only the fifth of the family to enter into time but the fifth of the family
to enter eternity. The dawn of this life lies so far in the past that it is
hard for us to realize the distance of that time from us. Then we remember
that she was born in the twenty-second year of Ohio's statehood, and the old
fort at Findlay was but twelve years old, we get something of a notion as to
the condition of things at that time and the distance of that time from us.
The thunders of the cannon of 1812 had but recently echoed themselves into
silence, and the dark clouds of the rebellion were but fleecy cumuli dotting
here and there the Nation's sky, and the Fitful firelight from the campfires
of Tecumseh's Red-men had scarce been swallowed up by the brighter gleam of
the White-man's civilization when her baby prattle gladdened her mother's
listening ears. The deer, the bear, and the wild-turkey roamed the forests
in her childhood days.
Her childhood was spent at the home of her childhood in Perry County. When
she was sixteen years of age, her parents moved their family to Liberty
Township in Hancock County Ohio. Soon after this she left her father and
mother to cleave to the one she had chosen for a husband. In 1841, at the
age of seventeen she became the bride of Thomas Kelley and with him began
the task of making for herself a home. But nine years they struggled with
the problems of pioneer life, the death claimed her husband and she was left
alone to care for her family. To this first marriage five children were
born, two of them, Philip Kelley of Mc.Comb, and Ephraim Kelley South of
Mc.Comb are still living.
Four years after the death of her first husband she was again united in
marriage, this time to George Mulford. Twenty-four years after this death
claimed her second husband and again she was left lone-handed to care for
her family. To this marriage five children were born. Two of these children
are yet living, voz. George Mulford of Shawtown, and Mrs. F.M. Deerwester
living North-east of Shawtown.
Once again the merciless destroyer came and this time she was the object of
his coming. Far in the summer of 1912 her strength began to wane. One by one
the long days of summer crept past the brisk days of Autumn had many of them
gone when at last October 17th 1912, at the age of 88 years 5 months and 13
days, she bade farewell to the things of this life. Twice she had bowed
beneath the weight of a widdows deep sorrow and six times her heart had been
pierced by a bereft mother's sorrow, yet in the day of her life, nor when
the shaddows of death's valley began to settle over her did she make
complaint for the sorrows which had clouded her pathway. Calm and
self-possessed she drew to the close of her long life as one might enter the
night's rest after the long day of toil.
With her first husnband she united with with the Baptist Church at Van Buren
O., but afterward she joined the United Brethren Church at the Kelley Class
of which she was a faithful member to the time of her death. With her heart
anchoredto theEternal Rock of Ages securely she weathered the storms of
life, she bore its disappointments, endured its toils, and found for herself
a refuge in that Rock at last. How sweetly she could sing with the Psalmist:
-
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear though the Earth do change,
l----------------------
Though the mountains be moved into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof.
She saw death's shaddows gath'ring
She heard its thunders roll.
Yet all its woes and terrors,
Could not disturb her soul.
She calmly walked death's valley,
And crossed its rolling tide,
Yet feared not as she journeyed,
For Christ was at her side.
Coming to this countey, as she did in its early days she has indeed grown up
with the country. She has seen its forests fall before the Wood-man's ax and
the broad fertile acres laid bare to the summer's sun. She has seen grow up
from babyhood to man and womanhood most of those who are now the citizens of
this community. Her own trials and sorrows have made her the friend of those
who were afflicted, and sorrowing. This friendship won in turn the
friendship of all who knew her, so thatnow as her four living children come
to weep beside her open grave, a host of neighbors and friends come to
mingle their tears as a last testimonyof the love and respect they bear for
the one who has gone on before us.
Many things might her be written,
Of the life that just has passed,
But her book of life is sealed now,
To be opened at the last.
You, who know her best remember,"
____________________________________________________________________________
7.
Veterans missed and corrections to the last newsletter:
The following information was sent to me from Miles Kilcoin on 25 Jan 2004
1. You may want to look at is the record listing William Cusac age 21
(a child of Daniel) as a veteran of the civil war. My records indicate
the Daniel's son William was born in 1834. It may be that the William
who served in the war was the son of John Cusac and Nancy Bell born in
November of 1840.
2.
One other veteran is Robert Richard Kelley (Phillip Barton, Mary Ann Cusac,
Daniel J.,
Andrew John) who was killed as a result of the attack on Hickam Field during
the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The memorial at Pearl Harbor
includes his name. The AMvets post in Findley Oh is named for Bob.
Born 8-18-1919 he died 12-8-1941. Enlisted 11-8-1939.
I believe that Miles is correct. In my notes I have
William Cusac son of John and Nancy (Bell) Cusac as serving in Co L 1st OH
Heavy Artillery. Sorry for the error.
I realized that I missed quite a few veterans from my own notes. I will
place a few in each newsletter. These veterans should also be added to the
list:
Mifflin H Cusick (William, Andrew John Cusac)
Service Record (Civil War): Enlisted in 30th OVI Co B as a private on 16 Aug
1861 at the age of 23. He was promoted to sergeant. He died of wounds on 15
Aug 1864 in Marietta, Georgia. His mother Sarah (Hagarty) Cusick applied for
his pension on 10 Sep 1864 (application #64, 512 certificate #56,808)
Runyan Day (husband of Hannah A Cusac, William, Andrew John)
Service Record (Civil War): Enlisted as private on 12 Aug 1862 in Co G 50th
OVI at the age of 30. He mustered out with Co G 50th OVI on 26 Jun 1865 in
Salisbury, NC. He filed for pension on 04 Feb 1891 in OH application #999,
755 certificate #805,203.
John Lape (husband of Evaline Cooper, Nancy Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew
John)
Enlisted as a private on 26 Sep 1864 at the age of 28. Drafted in Co F, 47th
OVI. Mustered out with Co F 47th OVI on 31 May 1865 in Washington, DC. He
filed for pension on 19 Oct 1884 (application #734326 certificate #564190).
Cora Lape (his second wife) filed for minors pension on 03 Apr 1909
(application #917170 certificate #686833).
Richard Harry Moorhead (Ethel Morrison, Sylvia Ellen Cusac, Isaac,
Daniel J, Andrew John) served in the US Army WWII (from his obituary:
Courier, The (Findlay, OH) 31 Dec 2003
_____________________________________________________________________________
8.
Hancock Co, OH obituary index online.
For those of you with an interest in Hancock County, OH the Obituary Index
is now online. This index was complied by the Hancock County, OH
Genealogical Society. They have been working on indexing obituaries from the
local papers that are on microfilm at the Hancock County Public Library. The
index is searchable by full name or surname. However the online index does
not allow a search by maiden name as does the one at the library. The
address is: http://www.findlaylibrary.org/obituaryDB/Obituary_PromptSearch.asp
Also note that the newspaper The Courier (Findlay, OH) is also online. They
have obituaries archived from 1998 to the present. The address is:
http://www.thecourier.com/
To search for the day's obituaries click on obituaries. To search for
obituaries from 1998 to yesterday click on Archives. You can then search by
keyword, date, or scroll down to obituaries and click on year.