Two Bush households from Fayette County, Ohio, farmed in English River Township. Absalom Bush, born in 1813 to Leonard and Catherine (Powers) Bush, came to the county in October 1846, farmed on section 24, and moved to Kalona in 1862; a lifelong abolitionist, he lost his son Darius at Belmont in 1861, where his son Cyrus was wounded, and his son D. Ezra was badly wounded at Jonesboro in 1864. Cyrus Bush, born in Concord Township in 1818, left Ohio in 1853, settled in 1854 on a farm that grew to 471 acres, kept store at Richmond, and served on the county board of supervisors while the new courthouse was built. Every fact below is cited to a public-domain Washington County history.
Earliest in the record
Absalom Bushborn 1813Most recent in our records
Violet (Bush) Kerrborn 1864Each number matches a section below. Tap a name to jump to that person.
Pioneers of Fayette County, Ohio
Farmer, section 24, English River Township; retired to Kalona
ABSALOM BUSH, a retired farmer, resides at Kalona. He w.as born in Fayette County, Ohio, Feb. 8, 1813, and is the son of Leonard and Catherine (Powers) Bush. His father was born in Pendleton County, Va., of German ancestry. He was a farmer and a natural mechanic, and was also a carpenter, manufacturing looms and spinning-wheels, and various other household articles. He was a master in the use of tools, and could make anything that he was requested to, and no man could do fine work. He was married in Virginia to Miss Catherine Powers, who was his companion and helpmeet until his death. She was born in Hardy County, Va., and w.as the daughter of a Dunkard minister. Her family were also of German origin.
The family, consisting of the parents and three children, removed to Ross County, Ohio, on the north fork of the Paint River, where they said two years, and then removed to the farm in Fayette County. This farm was a wild, unimproved pl.ace in a wilderness.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Civil War soldier; farmer, section 25, English River Township
Civil War soldier; farmer, section 24, English River Township
DANIEL EZRA BUSH is a farmer residing on section 24, township 77. range 7, English River Township, where he owns 247 acres of fine Land, under a high state of cultivation. He is a native of Tazewell County, Ohio, born Jan. 13, 1843, and is the son of Absalom and Violet (Arnold) Bush, the former a native of Fayette County, Ohio, and the latter of Keutucly, but who lived in Fayette County from childhood. The family were originally from Virginia.
When Daniel was but four years of age the family moved from Ohio to Washington County,
Iowa, and located upon the farm now owned and occupied by him. Here he was reared, and received his education in the public schools. English River Township, at that time, was but thinly settled, and the wild land must be converted into farms, and in making the change every member of the family must do his part. In the work of the farm, supplemented by an attendance upon the public schools, young Daniel was engaged until August, 1862, when he enrolled his name as a member of Co. F, 50th Iowa Vol. Inf., and was appointed Corporal. As such he went into the field, and was with the regiment in the operations.against Vicksburg. in the fall of 1862, and then with.Sherman in the battle of Haines' Bluff, on the Yazoo River, and at Arkansas Post. The regiment next participated in the siege of Vicksburg, and in one of the charges made upon the rebel works Mr. Bush received a gunshot wound in the right hand. In the Chattanooga campaign the regiment participated, and, under Hooker, it was engaged in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. It was also in the battle of Resaca, and in various engagements in the Atlanta campaign. In all these battles and campaigns Mr. Bush was with his regiment, and in the battle of Jonesboro, Sept. 1, 1864, he was severely wounded in the right breast and shoulder, causing the dislocation of the arm at the shoulder, and the removal of four inches of the bone of the arm. For months he Lay in hospital, and, by reason of the serious nature of his wounds, incapacitating him from further active S'Crvice in the field, he received an honorable discharge and w.as mustered out Jan. 9, 1865,
Returning to his home in English River Township, for two 3 ears his life was held by a delicate thread. His strength then began slowly to return, and as he was able he resumed his work upon the farm, but it was not until fourteen years late that the ball was removed. The years of suffering that he endured were enough to break down many a less rugged man, but he bore the pain uncomplainingly, realizing that it was necessary that some sacrifice should be made that our country should be saved, the Union restored.
On the ist day of September; 1875. Mr. Bush was united in marriage, in Jackson Township,
Washington County, with Miss Mary Coombs, a native of Indiana, and daughter of W. A. and Mahahi (Davis) Coombs. Four children have been born unto them: Daisy L., born in Ottuniwa, Iowa. Dec. 11. 1877; Leroy E., born in Jtcksoii Township, March 23. 1879: Carl A., born May 16. 1881; Louie Ellsworth, M.iy 2( 1886.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Daughter of Absalom Bush
Farmer, merchant at Richmond and county supervisor
Cyrus Bush was as hard-headed as a granite boulder and his head was packed full of common sense and sound judgment. He was born in Ohio, February 18, 1818, married Mary Miller, September 20, 1842, and had five children; married Mary Watters, September 22, 1850, and nine children were born to them. On September 6, 1853, the family started for Iowa, got a farm of four hundred and seventy-one acres, and he farmer and kept store at Richmond. He served a few terms on board of supervisors. Everywhere and always a sensible, honest man.
As printed in the source2. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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