Robert F. Bush (1951)

BUSH, BOWMAN, ARMSTRONG, MONAHAN, RANKIN, BALL, DOWALL

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 8/13/2006 at 18:07:19

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
February 7, 1951

ROBERT F. BUSH Dies At 90 Years

Was Former Operator of Grist Mill at Devil's Backbone

Robert F. Bush, a resident of Madison county since 1881, died at his home in Winterset Wednesday, Jan. 31, 1951. He was 90 years of age.

Born at Burlington April 12, 1860 he was a son of Andrew and Sarah Bush. At the age of 21 years, he came to Madison county. As a young man he operated the famous old pioneer grist mill at the Devil's Backbone, on Middle river, for a number of years. He later engaged in farming, which occupation he followed until moving into Winterset six years ago.

Mr. Bush was married Dec. 6, 1886, to Margaret A. Bowman. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom preceded the father in death. The wife and mother died in 1905.

His second marriage, an event of Oct. 14, 1908, was to Nora M. Armstrong. Seven children were born to this union, of which five survive their father.

He is survived by his wife; two sons by his first marriage, George of Creston and Clifford of Central Point, Ore.; two step-sons by his first marriage, Charles of Los Angeles and William of Omaha; five children by his second marriage, Harold of Red Oak, Mrs. Ferne Monahan of Grimes, and Leslie, Thomas and Eugene, all of Winterset; and one step-son by his second marriage, George Armstrong of Macon, Mo.

He also leaves a sister, Mrs. Mary Rankin of Winterset; two brothers, Ellis of Albia and Thomas of Orient; 27 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren. Two of his grandchildren, Mrs. Dorothy Ball of Winterset and Robert Dowall were reared in his home.

Funeral Services were held Saturday from the Winterset Methodist church in charge of the pastor, the Rev. Glenn Parrott. Burial was in the Winterset cemetery.