The Andrew John Cusac Family Newsletter
Issue 8

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

1. Estate of Thomas Fakner (husband of Jane Rodman, Roseann Cusac, Andrew John)

On this day it is represented to the court of probate that Thomas Fakner late of the County of Shelby and State of Illinois died intestate on or about the 20^th day of June 1843. Russel Fletcher appointed administrator. Ordered that he give bond in the penal sum of $1000. Edward Armstrong, Edmond Kelly and Alexander Fletcher appointed appraisers. Inventory lists the following Real Estate: - The E1/2 SW 1/4 and the SW1/4 SW 1/4 of Sec. 23 and the NW1/4 NW1/4 Sec 26 in Tp. 12 N. R. 3 East containing 160 acres.

Appraisement Bill dated August 11, 1843 filed by appraisers. Sale Bill dated Sept. 2^nd 1843 lists the following purchasers: James Brown, James Vermillion, A. M. Fletcher, L. Beck, Charles Woodward, R. Fletcher, I. Fakner, Israel Warner, B.J. Hunter, D. Fakner, John Ward, Russel Fletcher and Daniel Fakner.

It appears that an R Fletcher owned land with a T Fahener. This is from the 1844 Shelby Co, IL tax list. They owned the following:

40 acres, NW NW, Sec 26, Sec 12, Range 2, $3 per acre, total vale of $120

2. Biography of Andrew L Craig (husband of Jane Fakner, Jane Rodman, Roseann Cusac, Andrew John)

Andrew L Craig. Beginning life as a pioneer in the State of Indiana , our subject removed to this State at an early day, where the country was as undeveloped as his native place was at the time of his birth. He settled in Shelby County , in June, 1839, and has since made this State his home. As before said, Mr. Craig is a native of the State of Indiana , having been born in Fayette County , January 6, 1827. He is a son of James and Mary (Barrickman) Craig, both natives of Pennsylvania . They met, however, and married in Kentucky , whence they removed to Indiana , being among the earliest settlers of that State.

On first coming into this State our subject’s parents settled on Robinson Creek , Ridge Township , Shelby County , where James Craig purchased four hundred acres of land, and entered six hundred acres of Government land. For the former he paid $8 per acre but was permitted to enjoy his new home only a short time, for in 1841 he died. His wife survived him by a number of years, finally passing away in 1864, at the age of seventy-six years.

James and Mary Craig were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom lived to reach years of maturity. Their names are as follows: Jane, James, Robert, Jacob F., John R., Mary, William and Andrew. Of these the eldest daughter died in 1864; James makes his home in Boone County, Iowa; Robert died in Shelby County; Jacob F. resides in Boone County, Iowa; John R. lives in Shelbyville; Mary married Madison Busby and died in Christian, leaving on son to her bereaved husband. William died in Shelby County , in 1864.

Andrew L. our subject, is the youngest member of the family. He was reared on the farm and received an early training in the way in which to conduct a farmer’s work. He attended such schools as the county afforded at that time. The first school that he attended was a log cabin with a great fireplace at one end that scorched the children’s face while their backs were freezing. The seats were of slats with pegs set in the ends for legs. There were no desks and the books were a promiscuous and heterogenous mixture. He resided with his mother until her death.

In 1870 Mr. Craig was united in marriage with Sarah Fakner, a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Rodman) Fakner. The lady was born in Ohio , March 12, 1829, but came to Illinois when very young. She is the eighth of a family of nine children. Our subject settled on section 14, of Rural Township , in 1885, and here he is the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of good, arable land that has been well improved. It has a fine residence well located, commodious and comfortable, and the appliances for carrying on its owner’s calling in a thorough and scientific manner are many and perfect. Politically he of whom we write inclines toward Democracy, finding the breadth of platform claimed by that party to accord with his views of equity and freedom. He has held several offices in the township, having been Collector, Assessor, and Supervisor. His attention has been mainly directed to the raising of stock, of which he has a great deal that will compare well with any in the country.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties , Illinois . Chicago : Biographical Publishing, 1891 p. 549

3. Obituary and Death Record for Jane (Goodall) Fakner (wife of John Fakner, Daniel, Jane Rodman, Roseann Cusac, Andrew John)

Henton March 24 – Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon for Mrs. Jane Fakner, wife of John Fakner at the family home two and one half miles northeast of Henton.

Mrs. Fakner had been ill for the last few years but, the last three weeks she had suffered greatly, and passed away Thursday, March 19.

Mrs. Fakner leaves a husband and one daughter Miss Mae, three sisters and two brothers.

Rev. O. P. Wright of the Christian church of Westervell conducted the service. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Runkle, Mrs. Litchenwalter and Carl Smith sang with Miss Margaret Litchenwalter at the organ. Interment was in the Ilonion cemetery. (Could be either Illini or Union Cemetery )

Tobetha Jane Fakner d. 19 March 1925 Rural Twp, Shelby Co, IL (filed 21 March 1925)

IL Statewide Death Index 1916 – 1950 #0870070

In 1883, under the auspices of the Toledo Women's Christian Temperance Union, was organized the Retreat Mission. Its object is to offer temporary home to erring women and girls who may wish to reform and return to a virtuous life; and also, so far as may be practicable, to secure homes and employment, whereby such may gain an honest living. The first location of the Retreat was on Broadway. The Women's Christian Temperance Union supplied means for rent and Matron's salary. Different Churches furnished a room each with necessary furniture, and many citizens contributed additional articles; table supplies being obtained by private solicitation. During the first year 21 inmates were cared for. In March, 1884, the City donated two and one-half acres of land, on which it is proposed this year (1888) to erect a suitable building for the Institution. In 1886 the Legislature provided that a portion of the Police and State fines be set apart for the support of the same. The present location is on Indiana Avenue , under charge of Mrs. Mulford, as Matron. The average number of inmates from the start has been 20 per year. The importance of the work has increased in the judgment of the friends of the enterprise. Many infants born in the Retreat or received there, have been cared for.

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY , OHIO , CLARK WAGGONER, 1888, Munsell & Co., New York , p. 724

Civil War

Samuel Barnhill (husband of Martha Rodman, William, Roseann Cusac, Andrew John) Samuel from Jones Co, Iowa enlisted as a Private on 15 February 1864 at the age of 37. He enlisted in Co K, 24^th Infantry Regiment Iowa on 11 March 1864. He died of disease on 16 July 1864 in New Orleans , LA Hospital. His widow Martha Barnhilll filed applied for widow’s pension on 25 July 1864 Application 63306 #37437. A minor’s pension was filed by Martha Barnhill Houser, guardian, on 25 November 1867 application 154924 #112098.

Francis M. Deerwester (husband of Roseanna Mulford, Mary Cusac, Daniel, Andrew John) enlisted as a Private on 08 Oct 1861 at the age of 18. He enlisted in Co B 68^th OVI. He mustered out on 10 Jul 1865 in Louisville , KY. He filed for pension on 26 Jul 1890 Application 821228 #565380. Rose filed for her widow’s pension on 21 June 1913 Application 1112740 #841113.

James Henry Horn (husband of Mary E Cusac, William Shaw, Andrew C, Andrew John)

James H Horn enlisted on 04 Sep 1861 as a private in Co K 17 OVI at 23 years old. He mustered out with Co K 17 OVI on 08 Oct 1864. He filed for pension on 20 Jan 1880 in IL (application #339260 certificate 515052). His widow Isabella filed for his widow’s pension on 06 Aug 1917 Application #1105125 #846056. Note: Isabella was his second wife.

Isaac Cusac Kelley (Mary Ann Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John) Isaac enlisted as a Private on 21 Dec 1863 at 20 years of age. He enlisted in the 1^st Ohio Heavy Artillery Co L. He mustered out on 25 July 1865 in Knoxville , TN. He filed for pension on 12 Jan 1880, application 336563 #346535. His widow Sarah filed for her widow’s pension on 06 February 1909, application 913152 #679714.

George C Penwell (husband of Eliza Fackner, Jane Rodman, Roseann Cusac, Andrew John) George C Penwell from Lawrence , Kansas enlisted on 23 Mar 1864 in Co K, 9^th Calvalry Regiment Kansas . He mustered out with his company on 17 July 1865 in DeVall’s Bluff, Arkansas . He filed for pension on 31 July 1890 in Kansas application #889752 #611083. His widow Eliza filed for her widow’s pension 19 June 1901 application #743643 #524108.

Asa Rodman (John, William, Roseann Cusac, Andrew John) Asa from Boone Co, IN enlisted as a Private on 10 July 1863 in Co F 102 Infantry Regiment Indiana . He mustered out on 17 July 1863 at Indianapolis , IN. Note: he would have only been about 16 years old.

Asbury Sellers (Isaac Sellers, Martha Rodman, Roseann Cusac, Andrew John) Asberry R Sellers enlisted as a Private on 20 September 1861 at the age of 18 in Co G, 31^st OVI. He was wounded on 23 June 1864 at Kenesaw Mountain , Georgia (date estimated). He died of wounds on 23 June 1864. His father Isaac Sellers filed for his pension on 23 February 1869 #389649 from Illinois .

WWI

Milan Bertis Hart (Mary Violet Cusac, James Moore, Daniel J, Andrew John), Corporal, Marine Corps, Wellington , Colorado

Larimer County

Edwin D. Ewing (Allen P, Martha E Cooper, Jane Eliza Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Serial Number: 5290714; Address: R. F. D. 3, Findlay , Ohio . National Army. Enlisted: Findlay , O. on 07 Oct 1918. Born: Findlay , O. 12 Aug 1900

Assigns Comment: Students' Army Training Corps ONU Ada O to Discharge Private Honorable discharge 20 Dec 1918.

John F. Kelley (Thomas Price, Phillip Barton, Mary Ann Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Serial Number: 2020537. Address: Leipsic, O. National Army. Enlisted: Flint , Mich. on 17 Nov 1917. Born: Leipsic, O. Age: 22 6/12 Years

Assigns Comment: Co B 310 Engineers to 6 Dec 1917; 338 to 23 July 1918; 160 Depot Brigade to 1 Sept 1918; 3 Battalion United States Guards Allston Mass to Discharge Private Honorable discharge 24 Dec 1918.

Robert A. Leathers (Phebe E Cooper, William P, Jane E Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Serial Number: 449888. Address: Bloomdale, O. Regular Army. Enlisted: Columbus Barracks, Ohio on13 May 1918. Born McComb, O. Age:19 11/12 Years

Assigns Comment: Service Company Medical Officers' Training Corps Fort Oglethorpe Ga to 31 Oct 1918; Repair Unit 72 Motor Group Cp Greenleaf Ga to 6 Jan 1919; 9 Co 3 Training Battalion 158 Depot Brigade to Discharge Private, first class 5 Sept 1918. Honorable discharge 11 Jan 1919.

Stewart W. Lowell (husband of Melissa Gertrude Loy, George Oscar, Martin Augustus, Margaret Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Serial Number:1521518. Residence: Bowling Green , O. National Guard. Enlisted: Bowling Green , O on 12 Apr 1917. Born: Bowling Green , O. Age:19 4/12 Years

Assigns Comment: Co H 2 Infantry ONG (146 Infantry) to Discharge Private Ypres-Lys; Meuse-Argonne; Defensive Sector. American Expeditionary Forces 15 June 1918 to 31 March 1919. Honorable discharge 13 Apr 1919.

Charles T. Thomas (Gladie Pearl Moore, Amanda Jane Ewing, Martha E Cooper, Jane Eliza Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Serial Number:1525301. Residence: Arcadia , O. National Guard. Enlisted: Toledo , O on 04 Jun 1917. Born Hancock Co, O. Age: 18 6/12 Years

Assigns Comment:Co D 6 Infantry ONG (Co D 147 Infantry) to Discharge Private, first class 4 Jan 1918; Mechanic 18 Apr 1918. Ypres-Lys; Meuse-Argonne; Defensive Sector. American Expeditionary Forces 23 June 1918 to 23 March 1919. Honorable discharge 19 Apr 1919.

Korea

Ronald Burdette Mitchell: (Ralph Burdette, Newton , Margaret Emeline Cusac, John, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Medical officer; spent most of his time on troop transports between the US , Japan and Korea . (Note: He also served in WWII with the Navy.)

That's it for issue #8. 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