Allen Eugene Rusk (February 6, 1825March 12, 1904) was an American farmer,

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

politician, and

Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...

pioneer. He was a member of the

Wisconsin State Assembly The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Representatives are elected for two-year terms, ...

for two terms, representing Vernon County during the

1878 Events January–March * January 5 – Russo-Turkish War – Battle of Shipka Pass IV: Russian and Bulgarian forces defeat the Ottoman Empire. * January 9 – Umberto I becomes King of Italy. * January 17 – Bat ...

and

1881 Events January–March * January 1– 24 – Siege of Geok Tepe: Russian troops under General Mikhail Skobelev defeat the Turkomans. * January 13 – War of the Pacific – Battle of San Juan and Chorrillos: The ...

terms. He was an older brother of

Jeremiah McLain Rusk Jeremiah McLain Rusk (June 17, 1830November 21, 1893) was an American Republican politician. He was the 2nd United States Secretary of Agriculture (1889–1893) and the 15th Governor of Wisconsin (1882–1889), and served three terms in ...

, who was governor of Wisconsin and U.S. secretary of agriculture.

Early life

Allen Rusk was born on February 6, 1825, in

Clayton Township, Perry County, Ohio Clayton Township is one of the fourteen townships of Perry County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,432 people in the township. Geography Located in the north central part of the county, it borders the following townships: * Madison ...

. When he was a child, he moved with his family to

Morgan County, Ohio Morgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,802, making it the third-least populous county in Ohio. Its county seat is McConnelsville. The county was created in 1817 and later orga ...

, where he was raised on his father's farm and educated in the common schools. He also apprenticed in plastering. In 1852, he moved came to

, settling originally at Lancaster,

Grant County Grant County may refer to: Places ;Australia * County of Grant, Victoria ;United States *Grant County, Arkansas *Grant County, Indiana * Grant County, Kansas *Grant County, Kentucky *Grant County, Minnesota *Grant County, Nebraska *Grant C ...

. In December 1852, he hauled a load of merchandise to Vernon County for Henry McAulley, who operated a store there. While in Vernon County, Rusk began to look for land to make a permanent home for his family. He brought his family to

Viroqua, Wisconsin Viroqua is the county seat of Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,504 at the 2020 census. The city is in the town of Viroqua. Etymology The town was originally named “Farwell” after Leonard J. Farwell, second Gov ...

, in October 1853, and in the spring of 1854, he selected a large plot of land in what is now

Liberty, Vernon County, Wisconsin Liberty is a town in Vernon County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 341 at the 2020 census. The unincorporated communities of Liberty and Ross are located in the town. Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the town ...

. He settled on the land in April 1855. At the time, that area was still part of a larger township of Viroqua, and Rusk is credited for getting the town of Liberty established as a separate entity. Rusk was elected the first chairman of the Liberty town board, and served at least seven years in that role.

Civil War service

Rusk volunteered for duty in the

Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union of the collective states. It proved essential to th ...

in the fourth year of the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states ...

. He was enrolled as a private in Company I of the

42nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment The 42nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was a volunteer infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Service The 42nd Wisconsin was organized at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and mustered into Federal service on September ...

. The 42nd Infantry mustered into federal service on September 7, 1864, and spent their entire service on provost duty in southern Illinois. They mustered out of federal service on June 20, 1865.

Political career

Rusk was elected to the

on the Republican Party ticket in 1877 and 1880. He served in the

and

legislative terms. During the 1881 term, he was serving in the Legislature while his brother was Governor.

Personal life and legacy

Rusk was the sixth of 7 children born to Daniel Rusk and his wife Jane (' Faulkner). Allen Rusk's younger brother was

, who had distinguished Union Army service in the Civil War and went on to become a U.S. congressman, Governor of Wisconsin,

United States Secretary of Agriculture The United States secretary of agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The position carries similar responsibilities to those of agriculture ministers in other governments. The department includes several organi ...

, and namesake of

Rusk County, Wisconsin Rusk County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,188. Its county seat is Ladysmith. History Founded in 1901, Rusk County was originally named Gates County after Milwaukee land speculator Jam ...

. Jeremiah's son Lycurgus J. Rusk also served in the

. Allen Rusk married Mary Newton, of Harrison County, Virginia, in 1843. They had six children together but one daughter died young. They were ultimately married for over 60 years, dying within days of each other in March 1904. The town of Liberty, Wisconsin, was formerly named "Rusk Corners" after Rusk.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1878)

, colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;", General Election, November 6, 1877

Wisconsin Assembly (1881)

, colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;", General Election, November 2, 1880

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rusk, Allen People from Perry County, Ohio People from Vernon County, Wisconsin Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly Wisconsin city council members People of Wisconsin in the American Civil War Union Army soldiers 1825 births 1904 deaths 19th-century American legislators Wisconsin pioneers Burials in Wisconsin 19th-century Wisconsin politicians