RUSK-Josiah - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Josiah RUSK, farmer, Attica, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Cook) Rusk, was born in Richland township, November 11 1838, His mother was raised in Maryland, and his father in Ohio. They settled in Richland township probably as early as 1830 and lived and died there, his father, October 2 1839. His mother married Abram Dove, and died September 5 1869. Mr. Rusk got his education in the common schools of Richland township taught by Joseph Miller, Augustus Brier, Riley Hawkins, Mr. Voliva, Moses Fowler, Pleasant Scott, and others. He was drafted in time of the war, examined, accepted and held at LaFayette two weeks but none of that draft went to the army, as the quota was filled by volunteers. So he came home, and April 2 1864, was married to Melinda, daughter of Jacob Brown, who came to the Wabash with his mother in 1826. He lived near Portland three years and then moved to Tippecanoe county. In 1839 he returned and has lived here till this time. His wife, to whom he was married in 1833 was Susanna Beeker. He is a descendant of German ancestry and a native of Cumberland county Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1811. Mrs. Rusk was born March 21 1842, and has had six children; Jacob B. (deceased), Sarah Susanna, John, Albert, Ellen and Miranda. Mr. and Mrs. Rusk belong to the United Brethren and have their membership at Brown's Chapel. He was converted at the age of twelve and united with the New Lights, his wife joined the same church a year after marriage. In 1868 they moved into Shawnee township and settled where they at present live. The change took them out of reach of the church where they had worshiped, and finally in 1870 they united by letter with the society of which they are now members. Mr. Rusk owns 246 acres in Shawnee township, and 240 in Grant township Vermilion county Illinois, valued at $23,000. He is a democrat.