Biographical Sketch of Oren J. Bush, Johnson County, Missouri, Warrensburg Township >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** Oren J. Bush, one of Johnson county's leading agriculturists, is a member of an old family in the history of this county. He was born May 19, 1866 in Warrensburg township, the son of Andrew Jackson and Mary (Fuller) Bush, both natives of New York. A. J. Bush was born December 18, 1832 in Chautauqua county, New York, the son of Stephen Bush, Jr., whose father entered 400 acres of land in Chautauqua county from the government. Stephen Bush, Jr., was the son of Stephen Bush, Sr., a veteran of the Revolutionary War, who took an active and prominent part in the campaign around New York, in the struggle of the British for the Hudson river and the middle states in 1777. He was present at Burgoyne's surrender, October 17, 1777, when 6,000 regular troops, his entire army, were marched off the field by the Americans, who proudly unfurled their new flag, which had been adopted by Congress on June 14, 1777. Burgoyne's army had been suffering terribly from lack of food, as the Americans had cut off all the British supplies from Canada, and Stephen Bush, Sr. often stated that although the English felt the disgrace of surrender to the raw American troops, the Hessians did not care at all. Mr. Bush used to say emphatically, "The English were mad." Stephen Bush, Sr., was the son of Ashal Bush, who emigrated from England to Massachusetts probably in 1750. Ashal Bush was the father of two sons: Ashal, Jr., who was lost at sea, while serving in the navy during the Revolutionary War; and Stephen, Sr., of whom mention has been made. A. J. Bush, the father of the subject of this review, was born and reared in Chautauqua county, New York. March 5, 1863, he was married in Wisconsin to Mary Fuller, who was born in New York in 1841. In the spring of 1865, they came to Johnson county, Missouri, where they located on the Dalton place in Warrensburg township. Mr. Bush's first acquaintance in John- son county was the father of John Gilkeson. In 1867, he purchased his first land owned in the new Western home, 55 acres, for which he paid $9 an acre, and later, 40 acres, which he bought from the Colberns. At a still later time, A. J. Bush further increased his holdings, by pur- chasing 20 acres of land in Johnson county. He then engaged in farming and stock raising, which vocations he has followed ever since his com- ing West, until quite recently, when he became interested in bee culture. Mr. Bush died July 20, 1917 at eighty-four years of age. His widow is seventy-five years of age and still active. A. J. and Mary M. (Fuller) Bush were the parents of one son, O. J., the subject of this review, who lived with his parents on the home place, having the active supervision of the farm work. A. J. Bush came to Missouri from Wiscon- sin, where he had been engaged in teaching school and in conducting a mercantile establishment. He was a gentleman of the old school, highly intelligent and possessing kindly and courtly manners, whom to know was to respect and admire. Both he and Mrs. Bush were highly valued in Johnson county, where they resided so many years. A. J. Bush, Judge Buford, and "Uncle James" Fickas organized School District Number 55, which is now known as the Oakland district, and here O. J. Bush receiv- ed his early education. He was later a student in the Warrensburg State Normal School for four winters. O. J. Bush has always remained on the home place with his parents and practically all his life has been interested in farming and stock raising. He has devoted his attention largely to raising stock, although he has fed some. He handles a good grade of Hampshire hogs, some of which are purebred, and fine cattle. February 15, 1898, O. J. Bush and Mary E. Neet were united in marriage. Mary E. (Neet) Bush is the daughter of Jacob and Hester Neet, who re- side in Warrensburg, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are parents of seven children, six of whom are now living: William, who was born December 25, 1898; Mabel, who died at the age of 18 years; Bessie, Hester, Clark, David and Glenn. O. J. Bush is farming the home place, which comprises 240 acres of excellent farm land in Johnson county. In addition, Mr. Bush is owner of a tract of timber land, embracing four and a half acres, which land was entered by Allie Marr, a son of "Uncle David" Marr, who with Judge Morrow, was one of the charter members of the Warrensburg Presbyterian Church. O. J. Bush is one of the seven members of the County Defense Committee in Warrensburg township. He and his wife are worthy and consistent members of the Houts' Chapel Methodist church. A. J. Bush was one of the oldest members of the Ancient Free and Accep- ted Masons in Johnson county. He was affiliated with the Corinthian chapter. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny Harrell ====================================================================