EDWIN N. RUSK is a well known agriculturist of Staunton Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is the owner of a fine farm of eighty-seven acres. He was born on his father's farm in Spring Creek Township, Miami County, September 13, 1859, and is a son of William and Mary Jane (Anderson) Rusk, and a grandson of James and Sarah (French) Rusk. James Rusk, the grandfather, was of Scotch- Irish parentage, and came from the North of Ireland to Warren County, Ohio, locating near Franklin, where he was married and lived the remainder of his life.

William Rusk was one of the oldest of ten children born to his parents and was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 27, 1820. He helped to clear the home farm there and after his marriage moved to West Charleston, in Miami County, Ohio. He later located on a farm in Shelby County, and from there returned to Miami County, purchasing a farm of 112 acres in Spring Creek Township. He sold out after a few years and in March, 1864, purchased of Henry DeWeese the farm on which his son Edwin N. Rusk now lives. Here he passed the remainder of his life, dying in January, 1891. His wife, Mary Jane Anderson, who was born in 1823, died in March, 1890. They were parents of the following children: William Franklin; Lettie, deceased wife of Albert Kinder; Walter Scott; Edwin Nelson; Luella; James A.; John N.; and two who died in infancy. Both James A. and John N. were killed in battle in the Civil War.

Edwin Nelson Rusk was less than five years of age when his parents located upon the farm on which he now lives, and he received a fair education in the public schools of this district, first attending the old Peterson school. He started to farming at an early age and has since continued with good results. After the death of his parents, he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the home farm, on which he now has made many important improvements.

February 21, 1884, Mr. Rusk was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Hart, a daughter of John and Susan (Harritt) Hart, her father being a native of Trenton, New Jersey, and her mother of Greene County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hart at an early date became residents of Miami County, where they were married. He was born in 1823, and died in June, 1905, and Mrs. Hart, who was born in 1834, is still living. They had two children-Joseph G. Hart, of Troy, Ohio; and Minnie, wife of the subject of this sketch.

Mr. and Mrs. Rusk also became parents of two children: Lettie M., wife of Frank Weatherhead, of Staunton Township, by whom she has a daughter, Helen Marie; and Velva, who died at the age of one year and eighteen days. Religiously they are members of the Christian Church of Troy. In politics Mr. Rusk is a Republican, and has served as justice of the peace and assessor, and in other minor offices.