Biographical Sketch of

Nicholas Bush

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 543 - 544

Nicholas Bush, who is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Green Lake County, makes his home in 
Section 23, town of Berlin. His paternal and maternal grandfathers are numbered among the Revolutionary 
heroes and in recognition of their services were awarded pensions by the Government. The former, Stephen 
Bush, was born in Massachusetts, of English parentage, and was quite young when he entered the Colonial 
army. He made farming his life occupation and in 1806, removed to Chautauqua County, N. Y., where he 
entered 400 acres of land, comprising part of the Holland Purchase. He was one of the early settlers of 
that county, where he made his home during the remainder of his days. By his marriage with Zilpha Thresher 
he had six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom Stephen was the youngest. He departed this life 
at the advanced age of eighty-three, but his wife died when fifty years of age. The maternal grandfather 
of our subject, Nicholas Bovee, was also a New York farmer and a pioneer settler of Chautauqua County. He 
was the father of nine children, four sons and five daughters, of whom the mother of our subject was the 
second in order of birth. He died at the age of eighty-four years and the death of his wife occurred when 
she was seventy years of age.

Stephen Bush was born in Hampden County, Mass., in 1793, and from the age of thirteen years spent his life 
in Chautauqua County, N. Y., where he cleared and developed a fine farm. He wedded Eleanor Bovee, who was 
born in Mohawk County, New York, and was about one year his senior. Their family numbered eleven children, 
seven sons and four daughters, of whom nine are still living. The two now deceased had reached the age of 
sixty-seven years at the time of their death. The father and mother both died at the age of eighty-four 
years. He was a supporter of the Democratic party and she was a member of the Methodist church. 

Nicholas Bush, whose name heads this notice, was born in Sheridan Township, Chautauqua Co., New York, May 
15, 1818, and was the second child born to Stephen and Eleanor Bush. Being the oldest son of the family, he 
remained at home assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm until twenty-six years of age, when he 
left the parental roof and on the 25th of March, 1845, he was united in marriage with Miss Betsy Stebbins, 
who was born in Sheridan Township, Nov. 23, 1819. Their union was blessed with four children--Marilla E., 
wife of Henry C. Decker, by whom she has two children, Gertrude A. and Maude Arrilla; May, wife of Elizur 
Curtis and the mother of two children, Mabel and Edward; and Bessie, who is yet at home.

In the fall of 1845 Mr. Bush became a resident of the Territory of Wisconsin, making his home in Rock County 
until the following spring, when he cast his lot with the pioneer settlers of Green Lake County. He located 
in Berlin township on the 10th of May, and from that time up to the present, has made his home on section 23. 
He began life in true pioneer style in a little log cabin, 16 x 20 feet, which continued to be his home until 
it was replaced by his present substantial and commodious residence. His first purchase consisted of eighty 
acres of land, but he extended the boundaries of his farm until it comprises 250 acres, of which he still 
retains 200 acres. The days passed merrily in the new home despite the hardships and difficulties of frontier 
life until 1852, when the family circle was enshrouded in gloom, the cause being the loss of the wife and
mother, who died on the 31st of December. Mr. Bush was a second time married Sept. 15, 1853, when Betsy A. 
Davey, who was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., Jan. 24, 1836, became his wife. Two children graced their
union: Sarah J., who became the wife of John Eagan, by whom she has two children, Howard J. and Hazel V.; 
and Harriet A., who married Thomas Doherty, and also has two children, Gertrude and Gladys. Again death
visited the home, Mrs. Bush dying May 17, 1861. For more than seven years Mr. Bush was unblessed without 
the companionship of a wife, but on the 10th of December, 1868, he married Sarah A. Hill, who was born in 
Chautauqua County, New York, Oct. 29, 1826. Her death occurred June 22, 1872.

Until the war Mr. Bush affiliated with the Democratic party, but supporting the cause of the Union and 
freedom of slaves, he joined the ranks fo the Republican party and has since fought under its banner. He 
has served as Side Supervisor for several terms, was Chairman of the Town Board and was a member of that 
body at the time of the construction of the first bridge across Fox River. For twenty-five years he occupied 
the office of Justice of the Peace and made a wise and able official as his long term of service well indi
cates. The cause of education has found in him a warm friend and since his arrival in this county he has given 
his support and exerted his influence for its advancement. By industry and perseverance he has acquired his 
possessions and is accounted one of the leading and representative farmers of the community. [See portraits 
on page 542 of Nicholas and Sarah Bush]






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