Representative Henry Hudson Bush View All Years

HON. HENRY H. BUSH.

MR. SPEAKER.—Your committee appointed to draft suitable resolutions on the life and public service of Hon. Henry H. Bush, who was an honored member of this House in the Sixteenth General Assembly, beg leave to report the following:

Henry Hudson Bush was born at Randolph, New York, July 2, 1837, and died at his home in Garner, Iowa, on September 14, 1905.

While still a youth he left his native state and moved to Galva, Illinois. Here he supported himself and completed his education. He responded to Lincoln’s first call for troops and enrolled his name on April 20, 1861, and was made captain of Company D, 17th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. This enlistment was for three months and when his time expired, reinlisted for three years and served his full time. He had the love and esteem of his soldiers, the respect and confidence of his superior officers.

While ranking as captain he frequently filled positions of officers of much higher rank. That he filled these positions with honor and credit is shown by the fact that at Donelson on the last day of the fight, Capt. Bush was in command of his regiment and honorable mention is made of him in General Wallace’s report of the battle. He was in command of the Pioneer Corps at the siege of Vicksburg and was placed in command of the troops which were left to guard the city and made his reports direct to Logan and Grant.

On January 4th, 1864, he married Miss Minnie Wright at Galva, Illinois, and in 1869 moved to Hancock county, Iowa, where he resided until his death. As a pioneer he had much to do in helping to develop the county, and his public spirit contributed to the success of every public enterprise. The early years of his life at Garner were spent in the practice of law, and his legal advice and counsel was sought after in the management of all public affairs. He served as a member of the board of supervisors of the county for a number of years and assisted in the establishment of a rule of economic administration worthy of emulation.

Later in his life he became the owner and editor of the Hancock Signal, a newspaper published at Garner, and continued in this work until ill health compelled him to retire shortly before his death. He was a member of the House in the Sixteenth General Assembly, representing the district composed of Hancock, Wright, Winnebago and Worth counties; and was held in high esteem by his fellow members.

He was ever mindful of his social duties, being a member of Bethel Lodge No. 319, A. F. & A. M., and of Bethel Chapter 116; also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Loyal Legion; a member of the Congregational church. His influence was ever on the side of right living; and as was his life, so was his death, peaceful as a restful sleep.

Therefore, be it Resolved, That in his death the nation has lost a valiant defender, the state and county in which he lived a worthy and honorable citizen, and we hereby extend to his relatives and friends our tribute of respect; and be it further

Resolved, That these resolutions be printed in the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an engrossed copy to the family of the deceased.

A. C. RIPLEY,

F. W. RUSSELL,

ED. COLLIN,

Committee.

Adopted.