Grundy-Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Buss, Henry B October 29, 1869 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com February 20, 2006, 3:18 am Author: WW Stevens Henry B. Buss is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Will county, owning two hundred and sixty-two acres of land in Florence township. He is a native son of this township, his natal day being October 29, 1869. His paternal grandfather, John Buss, was one of the pioneer farmers of Jackson’s Grove, and there spent his remaining’ days. His father, Edgar C. Buss, was born in Ohio, whence he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, the greater part of his life being spent in Will county, where he owned and operated two hundred acres of land, situated in Florence township, and he likewise engaged in raising stock to quite an extent. He gave his political support to the republican party and during anti-slavery days was a stanch abolitionist. He was a loyal defender of the Union cause in the Civil war, serving as a member of Company C, One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, At the battle of Chickamauga he sustained wounds, from which he never fully recovered. He returned home after three years of active service in the army, having made an honorable record. His death occurred August 4, 1887, at the comparatively early age of forty-nine years. He is still survived by his widow, who bore the maiden name of Selina Gurney. She is a sister of George F. Gurney, a resident of Joliet, and still lives on the old family homestead, which property was left her by her husband. Their family numbered six children, as follows: Jessie, who is now the wife of August Carlsen; Henry E., of this review; Frances, the wife of Jesse Young; Leslie G.; Elmer O.; and Florence. Henry B. Buss spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, assisting his father in the work of the farm, while in the winter months he pursued his studies in the public schools. At the age of twenty years he began the operation of the home farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, and there made his home until February, 1903, when he removed to his present farm, having purchased one hundred acres in 1899 and one hundred and sixty acres in 1902. He has made many improvements on the property, including a nice home and many substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. His land is under a high state of cultivation, while in his pastures are found full blooded Poland China hogs and Durham shorthorn cattle. He is practical and progressive in his farming and stock-raising interests, so that the best possible results follow. Choosing a companion and helpmate for life’s journey, he was married February 12, 1890, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Miss Alice Coop, who was born in Girardville, Schuylkill county, Peunsylvania, a daughter of Albert and Harriet (Coopham) Coop, both natives of Beaufort, England, the former born November 12, 1848, and the latter September 30, 1854. Her father emigrated to the United States in 1869, landing in Boston on the 6th of June of that year. From that city he made his way to Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in mining for a time, and was there married on the 22d of September, 1870, after which he removed with his family to Ohio, where he spent a few years, and later he made a permanent settlement in Illinois. His first home was at Braidwood, in which city he lived during the succeeding sixteen years, and in 1895 took up his abode on a farm in Florence township, being thus engaged for three years, when he removed to Channahon township, this county, but once more returned to Florence township, but is now operating a farm in Grundy county. He has filled a number of public offices since coming to Will county, having served for one year as assistant supervisor, while for one year he was mine inspector of Will county. In his political views he is independent, supporting the candidates whom he deems best qualified for public office, regardless of party affiliation. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, while he belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 495, at Braidwood, becoming identified with the order thirty years ago, or in 1876. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Coop have been born eleven children, of whom seven still survive, namely: Alice, now Mrs. Buss; Evelyn, who was born March 7, 1875, and is now the wife of William Baskerville, a resident of Iowa; Joseph H., who was born November 13, 1879, and is now a resident of New York city; Hattie, who was born February 14, 1887; Raymond, whose birth occurred February 6, 1891; Mildred, born July 18, 1895; and Alvin, born August 1, 1897. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Buss have been born five children: Lulu May; Edgar C.; Hattie I.; Albert L., who died in infancy; and Bertha A. Mr. Buss supports the men and measures of the republican party but has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his private business interests, in which he is meeting with success. He and his family are highly esteemed in their home locality and are numbered among Will county’s best citizens. Source: "Past and Present of Will County, Illinois" by W.W. Stevens, 1907, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Pages 770-771 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/buss133nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb