Bush, Daniel Ezra

BUSH, ARNOLD, COOMBS, DAVIS

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 8/14/2020 at 14:17:58

Daniel Ezra Bush is a farmer residing on section 24, township 77, range 7, English River Township, where he owns 247 acres of fine land, under a high state of cultivation. He is a native of Tazewell County, Ohio, born Jan. 19, 1843, and is the son of Absalom and Violet (Arnold) Bush, the former a native of Fayette County, Ohio and the latter of Kentucky, but who lived in Fayette County from childhood. The family were originally from Virginia.

When Daniel was but four years of age the family moved from Ohio to Washington County, Iowa, and located upon the farm now owned and occupied by him. Here he was reared, and received his education in the public schools. English River Township, at that time, was but thinly settled, and the wild land must be converted into farms, and in making the change every member of the family must do his part. In the work of the farm, supplemented by an attendance upon the public schools, young Daniel was engaged until August, 1862, when he enrolled his name as a member of Co. F, 30th Iowa Vol. Inf., and was appointed Corporal. As such he went into the field, and was with the regiment in the operations against Vicksburg, in the fall of 1862, and then with Sherman in the Battle of Haines’ Bluff, on the Yazoo River, and at Arkansas Post. The regiment next participated in the siege of Vicksburg, and in one of the charges made upon the rebel works Mr. Bush received a gunshot wound in the right hand. In the Chattanooga campaign the regiment participated, and, under Hooker, it was engaged in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. It was also in the battle of Resaca, and in various engagements in the Atlanta campaign. In all these battles and campaigns Mr. Bush was with his regiment, and in the battle of Jonesboro, Sept. 1, 1864, he was severely wounded in the right breast and shoulder, causing the dislocation of the arm at the shoulder, and the removal of four inches of the bone of the arm. For months he lay in the hospital, and by reason of the serious nature of his wounds, incapacitating him from further active service in the field, he received an honorable discharge and was mustered out Jan. 9, 1865.

Returning to his home in English River Township, for two years his life was held by a delicate thread. His strength then began slowly to return, and as he was able he resumed his work up the farm, but it was not until fourteen years later that the ball was removed. The years of suffering that he endured were enough to break down many a less rugged man, but he bore the pain uncomplainingly, realizing that it was necessary that some sacrifice should be made that our county should be saved, the Union restored.

On the 1st day of September, 1875, Mr. Bush was united in marriage, in Jackson Township, in Washington County, with Miss Mary Coombs, a native of Indiana, and daughter of W. A. and Mahala (Davis) Coombs. Four children have been born unto them: Daisy L., born in Ottumwa, Iowa, Dec. 11, 1877; Leroy E., born in Jackson Township, March 23, 1879; Carl A., born May 16, 1881; Louie Ellsworth, May 26, 1886.

Mr. Bush and family attend the Christian Church. Politically he is a Republican, with strong prohibition sentiments. A brave soldier and patriotic man in war and peace, he is truly a representative citizen, not only of the township in which he lives, but of the county as well. As such is respected by all. The farm upon which he lives is well cultivated and shows evidence of the worth and ability of its owner.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Daniel Ezra Bush, pages 531-532.