Bush, John bio

In the career of this gentleman we find an excellent example for young men just embarking in the fields of active life of what may be accomplished by a man beginning poor, but honest, prudent and industrious although he cam to Polk County in limited circumstances he now is the owner of fine farm pleasantry situated on section 19, township 14, range 3, Platte precinct.

A native of Coshocton County Ohio, Mr. Bush was born November 18, 1842, a son of David and Fredericka Nellinger Bush, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Germany. They were married in Maryland, became early settlers of Ohio and later moved to Indiana, settling in Owen County where they spent there last days amid pioneer scenes. The mother was a consistent member of the Methodist Church, and both were highly respected by all who knew them. In their family were the following children who reached years of maturity, Andrew who as sergeant in Company H, 97th Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and is now a resident of Hamilton County Nebraska, Jacob, who also makes his home in that county, George E. who was a Sergeant in Company I, 19th Indiana Infantry, and is still living in Owen County Indiana, David a resident of Hamilton County Nebraska who was also a member of Company I, 19th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and at the Battle of Gettysburg was shot through the back of the neck and twice wounded at Antietam, John the next of the family, James a soldier in the 15th Indiana Light Battery and now resident of Hamilton county Nebraska and Sophia deceased.

At the pioneer home of the family in Owen County Indiana John Bush grew into manhood with but little opportunity to attend school the fact he did not learn his letters until after he entered the Army. It was on the 27th day of June 1861 that he joined the boys in blue as a member of Company I, 19th Indiana Volunteer Infantry and was first sent to Washington D.C. where he assisted in building Fort Craig, and remained all winter. Then under General McDowell he took part in engagements at Gainsville Virginia, Second Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of South Mountain, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. At the last name he was wounded July1, 1863 with a gunshot through the right shoulder and after being sent to the hospital in west Philadelphia, gangrene set in, but he as finally able to rejoin his regiment at Belle Plains Virginia. later he participated in battles of Mine Run, the Wilderness, Laurel Hill, Spotsylvania, Bethesda Church, the siege of Petersburg and the Battle of Appomattox where Lee surrendered. He belonged to the celebrated "Iron Brigade" composed of the 7th, 6th and 2nd Wisconsin Regiments the 24th Michigan and the 19th Indiana which under the command of Colonel Meredith opened the Battle of Gettysburg and also captured Archer's Confederate Brigade. Mr. Bush took part in the Grand Review at Washington D.C. and was later discharged at Jeffersonville Indiana, July 10th, 1864 after 4 years and 1 month of faithful and arduous service. He was a brave and fearless soldier always found at his post of duty and in July 1864, was promoted to the rank of Corporal, after being wounded at Gettysburg he was captured by the enemy and held prisoner for three days.

When the war was over Mr. Bush returned to his home in Indiana but in 1869 he removed to Christian County Illinois where he engaged in farming until coming to Polk County Nebraska in 1873 here securing a homestead consisting of northwest quarter of section 30, township 14, range 3, and to cultivation and improvement of wild prairie land at once turned his attention to his stock at the time consisted of only a team of mules and one cow. The first year he raised a crop of sod and half of the first 10 acres of wheat which he raised ha gave to the man who had furnished the seed. He endured all the hardship of frontier life, the grass hoppers destroyed his crops, and what was to him a great trial was the lack of tobacco in order to support his family he was obliged to work for others in addition to cultivation of his own land but now things have changed. 240 acres of his 400 acres are under high state of cultivation yielding bountiful harvest the result of care and labor bestowed upon little sod house which was home for the family for 9 years has been replaced by a comfortable frame residence and everything about the place testifies to the industrious progressive spirt of the owner. On the 8th day of April 1868 Mr. Bush was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hllegas who was born in Coshocton County Ohio, October 18, 1849 and they have become the parents of 7 children. Mr. Bush is a worthy member of the G.A.R. Post Clarks Nebraska. Politically is Independent, and has served as a efficient member of the school board.