Thomas Cusack Illinois Political Directory, 1899. |
As a young boy, Cusack immigrated to New York City from Ireland with his family in 1861. Shortly after the move, his parents died, leaving Thomas and his younger brother orphaned.
Thomas was raised by relatives in Chicago, where he received his education and learned how to paint, a skill that would ultimately make him a very wealthy man.
In 1875, at 17, Cusack established his own sign painting business, the Thomas Cusack Company, in Chicago, with only a paint pot and brush and his remarkable personality as assets.
Thomas Cusack and Company |
Wilson Distilling Company's advertisement was for a Madison and Wabash building in 1895. Produced by the Thomas Cusack Co. |
Billboards on Park Row (11th Street ) on the east side of Michigan Avenue , Chicago, 1910. |
In 1898, Cusack was elected to his first and only term in the United States Congress from the 4th District of Illinois (1899-1901). After his term, Cusack returned his attention primarily to his outdoor advertising business, which had grown considerably to over one hundred offices and produced an annual revenue of over $20 million ($717,249,000 in 2024).
Thomas Cusack and Company, 15th and Throop Streets, Chicago. |
Thomas Cusack and Company Offices in New York, NY. |
A Ghost sign - Marigold Margarine on Lincoln and Lawrence Avenues, Chicago. Thomas Cusack Co. Chicago. Thomas Cusack Co. |
A Ghost Sign - Location Unknown - Thomas Cusack Co. |
Marigreen Pines, at the Ute Pass in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. |
Thomas Cusack died on November 19, 1926, at 68. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, Illinois.
In 1979, Cusack's last surviving daughter, Anne Cusack, donated Marigreen Pines in Ute Pass, Colorado, to the Congregation of Holy Cross to serve as their novitiate (a place housing religious novices).
Thomas Cusack Co. Example, Year and Location Unknown. |
Thomas Cusack Co. Example, Year and Location Unknown. |