Josiah Rusk ^{1 3 4}

   FamilySearch ID: LJPK-JY6.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Arrival: 1868, in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN. ¹

2. Census in 1870 in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN. ⁶ The 1870 census recorded Josiah Rusk, farmer, 31, living with wife Melinda, 27; Jacob B., 5; Sarah S., 3; and John, 2. Everyone was born in Indiana. The post office was Attica.

3. Census in 1880 in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN. ⁷ The 1880 census recorded Josiah Rusk, farmer, 40, living with wife Melinda, 37; Sarah S., 14; John, 11; Albert, 7; Ellen 5; and Miranda, 2. Everyone was born in Indiana. Josiah's father was born in Ohio and mother in Maryland. Melinda's father was born in Pennsylvania and mother in Indiana.

4. Book: History of Fountain County, 1881, Van Buren Township, Fountain, IN. ¹
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 La Fayette 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 church 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 1879 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.

5. Census in 1900 in Hoopeston, Vermilion, IL. ⁸ The 1900 census recorded owning a home at 372 Washington Street: Josiah Rusk, landlord, 62, born Oct 1838, living with wife Malinda, 58, Mar 1842. They were born in Indiana and their parents in Ohio. They were married for 36 years and she had birthed 6 children, 5 alive in 1900.

6. Census in 1910 in Hoopeston, Vermilion, IL. ⁹ The 1910 census recorded owning a home at 325 S. Market St: Josiah Rusk, retired, 71, living with wife Malina, 67. He was born in Indiana and his father in Ohio and mother in Maryland. She and her mother were born in Indiana and her father in Ohio. They were married 50 years ago and she had birthed 6 children, 5 alive in 1910.

7. Newspaper: The Times: Ask Conservator for Father., 4 Nov 1910, Streator, La Salle, IL. ² ---
Ask Convervator for Father.
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Bloomington, Nov. 4. -- Chagrined by the second marriage of their father, three months after the death of his first wife, children of Josiah Rusk, a wealthy resident of Cermillion county, petitioned the court for a conservator. They declar he is distracted and a spendthrift and express the fear he will dissipate his estate.

8. Residence: 1915 Lafayette Directory: Rusk Josiah (Nannie B), h 320 Pearl (West Lafayette) in 1915 in West Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN. ¹⁰

9. Newspaper: Journal and Courier: West Side: Josiah Rusk will leave soon to join his family in Los Angeles, Cal., where they will spend the winter., 14 Oct 1920, Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN. ¹¹ Dr. Oscar U. Chenoweth, of 1005 Pontiac avenue, has purchased Josiah Rusk's home at Pearl and Main streets and will move in a few days.

10. Cause of Death: acute dilitation of heart, indigestion and bowel infrection, 8 Nov 1920, San Fernando, Los Angeles, CA. ⁵

11. Occupation: retired rancher on 8 Nov 1920 in San Fernando, Los Angeles, CA. ⁵

12. Residence: 650 N. Mcllay Avenue, San Fernando, CA on 8 Nov 1920 in San Fernando, Los Angeles, CA. ⁵

13. Newspaper: Journal and Courier: Circuit Court: Josiah Rusk estate, Phenias T. Remster appointed administrator. Bond given in the sume of $10,000., 19 Nov 1920, Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN. ¹²

14. Newspaper: Journal and Courier: Oversight In Deed, 26 Jan 1921, Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN. ¹³ OVERSIGHT IN DEED.
Josiah Rusk to Oscar U. Chenoweth and wife -- 50 1-3 feet off south side of lot 19, Lutz's plat, West Lafayette. This deed is defective in that the wife's name does not appear in the indenture while in the testimonium the wife's name appears as Bessie R. Rusk, but she signs the deed Mrs. N. B. Rusk and the notary in his jurat certifies the acknowledgement of Nannie B. Rusk. Immediately following on the record Nannie B. Rusk, widow, makes a quit claim deed to Oscar U. Chenoweth and Bessie V. Chenoweth, his wife; for the same tract $1, There are ommissions and confusion of names that ought to be corrected at once, it will save much future trouble and expense. The Journal Courier comments as a favor to the parties concerned.

15. Newspaper: Journal and Courier: Probe Death of Josiah Rusk at Request of Son, 26 Aug 1921, Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN. ¹³ ---
PROBE DEATH OF JOSIAH RUSK AT REQUEST OF SON
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Former West Side Resident Expired in California and Authorities at Danville Take Up Inquiry.
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John Rusk, of Des Moines, la., is making a desperate fight to avenge the death of his father, Josiah Rusk, who he believes died of unnatural causes. Josiah Rusk was a resident of West Lafayette residing on Oak street until about a year ago. He was 83 years old and was reputed to be wealthy.
The elder Rusk was twice married, his second wife according to the son having been employed in the home while the first Mrs. Rusk lived. The family resided at Hoopeston before coming to West Lafayette. A short time after the death of his mother, according to the son, his father and the second Mrs. Rusk were married.
According to statements made by the son, the second wife controlled her husband's actions and caused him to do many things he would not have done under ordinary circumstances. Among them was the founding of a Christian Science church.
After residing in West Lafayette for a time, the second Mrs. Rusk went to California and last fall summoned her husband there. He left Lafayette in October, according to the son and shortly after reaching San Fernando, died on November 9. The body was sent to Hoopeston for burial.
The administration papers were issued in Lafayette and Roy C. Street is acting administrator. John Rusk, the son, came to Lafayette and attempted to have the authorities investigate. Failing, he went elsewhere. The latest development in the case came at Danville, Ill., on Thursday. Announcement was made that an investigation had been launched there by the state's attorney's office into the death of the aged man. Danville and Hoopeston where Rusk wis buried, are both in Vermillion county, Ill.
According to the son, the elder Rusk, withdrew all his money from two Illinois banks before leaving for California to join his wife, from whom he had been separated for a long time.

16. Newspaper: Journal and Courier: Circuit Court: Josiah Rusk estate, report of appraiser filed., 12 Oct 1921, Lafayette, Tippecanoe, IN. ¹⁴

Josiah married Malinda Brown, daughter of Jacob Brown and Susannah Beeker, on 18 Apr 1864 in , Fountain, IN.¹ (Malinda Brown was born on 21 Mar 1842 in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN,^{1 15} died on 4 Jul 1910 ¹⁵ and was buried in Lovejoy Township, Iroquois, IL ¹⁵.)

Josiah next married Nannie B. Hix in Oct 1910.² (Nannie B. Hix was born on 4 Dec 1861 in , , MO,¹⁶ died on 27 Jan 1924 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA ¹⁶ and was cremated on 29 Jan 1924 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA ¹⁶.)