Biographical Sketch of

Judge Jacob S. Bugh

Transcribed by Sandy Boudrou



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 546 - 547 


Judge Jacob S. Bugh, County Judge, and one of the prominent citizens of Waushara County, Wis., was born in 
Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, Jan. 23, 1826, and is a son of John and Maria Bugh.  His father was a native of 
Maryland, his mother of Pennsylvania, and in their childhood they emigrated with their respective families 
to Ohio where they became acquainted and were married. A family of eight children, six sons and two daughters 
were  born to them in the Buckeye State, but only three of them are now living--Eliza, widow of Daniel F. 
Hodge of Minnesota; Joseph C., a dealer in sewing machines in Beloit, Wis.; and Jacob S., of this sketch.  
By trade John Bugh was a contractor and builder, but in connection with that business operated a large farm.  
In early life he supported the Whig party and on the organization of the republican party joined its ranks, 
continuing to give it his hearty support until his death.  Long prior to the war he entertained strong 
abolition principles and his home was a station on the underground railroad.  He assisted many a poor negro 
on his way to Canada and freedom, and did all in his power to create an abolition sentiment among the people 
of the community in which he made his home.  He and his wife were both members of the Methodist Church and 
were active workers in the Master's vineyard.  They lived earnest, consistent Christian lives and their 
house was always open for the entertainment of the preachers.

In Judge Bugh, whose name heads this sketch, we see a worthy example of a self-made man.  The educational 
advantages which he received were not superior to those afforded many other boys, he attending the district 
school and the Somerset Academy, where he pursued only a partial course. Possessing studious habits, a 
retentive memory and an observing eye, the knowledge acquired out of school is such as to make the Judge 
one of the most intelligent citizens of the community.  While Gov. Fairchilds was Governor of Pennsylvania, 
he commissioned our subject as regent of the State University, but the Judge thinking himself unqualified 
for the position, wrote back saying that he was an uneducated man and did not believe himself capable to 
perform the duties of that office but the Governor appreciating his true worth and ability, replied that 
he wanted a man of common sense as well as education and urged him to accept the commission, which he did, 
filling the office for a period of eight years.

The year 1849 witnessed his emigration to Waushara County, Wis., and soon afterward he made a claim on section 
1 in the town of Dakota, which he still owns.  There were but few settlers in the community, the greater part 
of the land being still in the possession of the Government and the county still formed a part of Marquette 
County, but through the efforts of Judge Bugh and Col. Thomas J. Townsend, it was separated.  The Judge took 
a prominent part in the organization of the county to which was given the name of Waushara, and introduced 
the bill into the Legislature to change the county seat from Sacramento to Wautoma, which was passed.  The 
people raised a part of the money necessary to pay the expenses of the removal, the Judge borrowing the 
remainder of the amount.  From the organization of the county to the present day he has been prominently 
identified with its history in some official capacity.  While the county seat was in Sacramento he was 
elected the first Recorder of Deeds, which office he held for seven years. In 1860 he was nominated and 
elected to the General Assembly of the State and in 1883 was again the people's choice for the office.  
He displayed his loyalty to the government during the late war by his untiring efforts in raising troops 
and received a commission from President Lincoln, as Paymaster.  Later he held the office of Assessor of 
Internal Revenue of the 5th District, being appointed by Andrew Johnson and served in that capacity for 
five years.  For many years he served as Chairman of the town of Dakota, and for a considerable time he 
has been Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors to which position he was elected without opposition.  
In the spring of 1889, he was elected to the office of County Judge, the duties of which he is now 
discharging.  His repeated calls to positions of honor and trust, indicate the high regard in which he 
is held and the great confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.  He has been true to every trust, 
has faithfully discharged his official duties often placing his own interests aside to care for those of 
the public.  It is difficult to speak in praise of the living without an appearance of flattery, yet 
this record is to perpetuate lives and characters of the representative citizens of Waushara County, 
and it would therefore be injustice to his many friends to omit the commendation which the Judge so 
richly deserves.  His nobility of character and upright life have won the high regard and respect of 
even those opposed to him politically, and extended his circle of acquaintances until it comprises many 
of the most prominent citizens of the State.


In 1861, in Waushara County, Judge Bugh was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Hood, daughter of Judge 
Thomas Hood, of Madison.  Their union was blessed with three children, two of whom are now living--William 
A., a resident of this county, and Frances H., who was graduated from the High School of Berlin, and is now 
the wife of John W. Dubois, who resides in Green Bay and is connected with the railroad interests of the 
State.  Mrs. Bugh departed this life in 1883. 

 




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