NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 S. F. Cusack Sylvester F. Cusack has been prominently and closely identified with the upbuilding of one of the most important industries in Sioux City-the Sioux City Serum Company, which is now the largest concern of its kind in the world, this city now ranking second in the production of anti-hog cholera serum. There are but two companies engaged in this business here, while Kansas City, which ranks first, has about twelve plants in active operation. Mr. Cusack has devoted himself closely to this business and has had the pleasure of seeing the patronage grow year after year until now the company employs ninety people and markets annually over seventy-five million cubic centimeters of serum. Sylvester F. Cusack was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on the 31st day of December, 1887, and is a son of Martin and Alice (Ryan) Cusack, both of whom were born and reared in Buffalo, New York. They were married there and subsequently moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where the father, who is now deceased, was engaged in the hat making business. Sylvester F. Cusack attended the Catholic schools of Kansas City and while still a youth went to work there in the stock yards, where he was connected in various capacities with meat packers until March, 1913, when he came to Sioux City and became connected with the Sioux City Serum Company. In 1915 Mr. Gilchrist and Mr. Cusack acquired the interest of C. I. Peters in the Sioux City Serum Company and in the reorganization of the company, William F. Gilchrist, who had been vice-president and treasurer, became president, and Mr. Cusack became vice-president and manager, which positions he still retains. He is also vice-president and manager of the Spring Valley Farm Company, a subsidiary of the Serum Company. The Farm Company grows and fattens thousands of hogs annually which are used by the Serum Company for the production of anti-hog cholera serum. In 1917 Mr. Cusack was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Marie De Maranville of Sioux City, and to their union were born three children, Mary Frances, Alice Kathryn and Raymond Jack. Mr. Cusack is a member of Sioux City Lodge, No. 112, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and of the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Sioux City Country Club, Sioux City Commercial Club. He is a communicant of the Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic church. He takes an active interest in all civic affairs, supporting such movements as are calculated to be for the material, civic or moral welfare of the community. He is a man of splendid personal character, possessing to a marked degree the essential attributes of good citizenship, and is held in held regard by all who know him. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/