My Genealogy Hound

Maj. William H. Lusk, clerk of the circuit court and ex-officio recorder, needs no introduction to the citizens of Cole County, for he is recognized as prominent among its representative men. He was born in Cumberland County, Penn., on the 5th of September, 1827, and is the third son of William and Mary (Fitzsimmons) Lusk, both natives of Pennsylvania. The Lusks are descendants of an old Irish family, a branch of which settled in Cumberland Valley in an early day. William Lusk was born June 26, 1792, and died in Jefferson City, Mo., in October, 1844. Mary (Fitzsimmons) Lusk was born March 6, 1796, and died in Jefferson City October 8, 1868. They were married in Cumberland County, Penn., by the Rev. Mr. Moady, June 16, 1818. There were eight children born of the union: Robert McClure, James, Mulvina, Catherine Maria, Martha Jane and Sarah Ellen, all of whom are deceased, leaving the subject of this sketch and his sister Mary Ann as the only branches of the family living. Robert, James, Catherine and Martha died in this county, and are buried in Woodland Cemetery by the side of their parents. Mulvina and Sarah Ellen died in infancy, and are buried in the graveyard in Newville, Cumberland Co., Penn. William Lusk was a civil engineer by profession, and endowed with energy and enterprise combined with perseverance and great mental determination. Mary (Fitzsimmons) Lusk belonged to a family of Revolutionary heroes; their names are not left to tradition, but constitute a part of the history of those times. To the teachings of his mother the subject of this sketch built his character, and to her motherly advice and care is he indebted for the position and standing he has attained. In 1812 William Lusk enlisted in Capt. Roberts’ company of Cumberland County Volunteers, participated in the War of 1812, and was in the battle of Lundy’s Lane. In 1839 William Lusk with his family moved to Missouri, and settled on a farm in Cole County, now Moniteau, eight miles west of the town of Marion. In 1840 he moved with his family to Jefferson City, Mo., and purchased the plant of the Jefferson Inquirer from E. L. Edwards, now judge of the First Judicial Circuit of Missouri, and conducted the paper in the cause of the Democracy until his death. The subject of this sketch was then an apprentice in the office, and served until his majority, when he became a partner in the paper with his elder brother, James Lusk, who at the death of the father became the owner and proprietor. During the Mexican War young Lusk served as a private in Capt. John Knapp’s Company C, First Missouri Infantry, and was on duty in Matamoras and other places. October 2, 1856, Mr. Lusk was united in marriage at St. Joseph, Mo., to Miss Abbie Maria Burgess, a most estimable lady, and a native of Kentucky. This happy union was terminated by the death of Mrs. Lusk June 9, 1859. She left two children: Mary Belle and James Abbie. Mary Belle is now the wife of Mr. Daniel Boone, of St. Louis, and the mother of four sons and two daughters. James Abbie died in 1860. In 1858, after the death of his brother James, he took exclusive charge of the Jefferson Inquirer, at a time of deep and exciting interest, at a crisis of great magnitude. It was a crisis of peril to those who had to act in it, but of subsequent glory to the actors. The invincibility of secession and disunion had become a proverbial expression, and a war for the Union was only a question of time and full of terrific issues. Mr. Lusk found himself at once in a situation of great responsibility, one that required more than mental and writing qualities to fulfill it. The spirit and patriotism of the people required direction; the energy and patriotism of the youth had to be watched and cared for. Mr. Lusk struck out boldly and fearlessly for the Union, writing “with the pen of inspiration and a heart of a patriot, and a soul which filled the Union and could not be imprisoned in one-half of it.” The part which he acted at this time has been approved by the people, and now forms a part of the glorious history of those times. In March, 1861, the paper went down, but Mr. Lusk did not go down with it. He laid aside his pen and took up the sword. He became the confidential correspondent of Frank P. Blair and the then Capt. Lyon in command of the United States Arsenal at St. Louis. It was the facts obtained through his correspondence that contributed to the removal of Gen. Harney and the capture of Camp Jackson. June 17, 1861, he was mustered into the three months’ service as captain of Company B, Col. Richardson’s regiment, United States Reserve Corps, and was in active service until mustered out on the 1st day of October, 1861, when he was appointed assistant provost-marshal. He served in that capacity until June, 1862, when he was commissioned as recruiting officer with the rank of lieutenant, and raised four companies of United States Volunteers; he was promoted on the 1st of September, 1862, to the rank of captain, and assigned to Company E, which afterward formed a part of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, under the command of Col. F. M. Cornyn. On December 4 he was promoted to the rank of major of the regiment, and held the position until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., July 2, 1865. He took part in the capture of Gen. John S. Marmaduke, Gen. Cabelt and some 300 prisoners, together with nine pieces of artillery, at the battle of Osage, Kan., October 25, 1864. In the early part of 1865 the regiment was assigned to the cavalry corps of the military division of the Mississippi, under the command of Brevet Maj.-Gen. Wilson, and participated in that celebrated raid through Alabama and Georgia. Maj. Lusk is a Democrat, and was chairman of the Cole County Democratic Committee from 1866 to 1872. He ran for the Legislature in 1866, but was defeated by a small majority, although running largely ahead of his ticket. In 1870 he was elected to his present position, which he has filled in a highly satisfactory manner to the present time. February 1, 1871, in Pittsburgh, Penn., he married Christine Hager, who was born in Sarralbe, Department de la Mosselle, France, from which union two children were born, both now deceased. The Major is a warm, devoted friend, strong and fearless in his convictions of right and justice, whether popular or unpopular. He belongs to that class of men who, without being classed with the brilliant, are nevertheless among the most useful and meritorious. He is a working man, and labors diligently, judiciously and honestly for the public good. Patriotism, honor and integrity are his eminent characteristics. He is liberal to the poor and needy, and contributes unsparingly to the demands of charitable, benevolent and religious societies. His wife is a lady of unusual social and literary culture, and is equally noted for the same spirit of generosity as that of her husband. The Major is a member of Jefferson Lodge No. 43, A. F. & A. M., and of Prince of Peace Commandery No. 29, K. T. He is also past Post Commander of James A. Garfield Post No. 6, G. A. R., Department of Missouri.