LUTHER H. BUSSELLE
Luther
H. Busselle, prominently connected with financial interests of
Chariton as cashier of the Lucas County national Bank and of
the Lucas County Trust & Savings Bank, was born in Otter
Creek township, this county, on the 8th of
February, 1865. He
is a son of William W. and Tansen Ann (Reece) Busselle, the
former a native of Indiana, born in 1831, and the latter of
Illinois. Their
marriage occurred in Clarke county, Iowa, and from there they
came to Otter Creek township, Lucas county, and located on a
farm. The father
engaged in agricultural pursuits in that locality for many
years but is now living retired at Marengo. He survives his
wife who passed away in Chariton in July, 1901. In their family
were the following children:
Mrs. Flora B. Thompson, who resides in Washington, D.
C., where her husband has served as solicitor of the United
States Treasury since he was appointed to that position by
President Taft; P. O., who resides in Wichita, Kansas, as
general manager of the International Harvester Company, a
position which he has occupied for the past twenty-eight
years, beginning with the old McCormick Harvester Company;
Luther H., of this review; A. S., engaged in the real-estate
and loan business in Tacoma, Washington; Charles, who has
passed away; and Mrs. Effie B. Henderson, the wife of Dr. E.
B. Henderson of Marengo.
All of these children were born in Otter Creek township
and all supplemented a public-school education by a course in
Simpson College at Indianola.
Luther
H. Busselle spent is boyhood upon his father’s farm and his
early experiences were those which generally fall to the lot
of the farm lad. After
attending Simpson College he settled in Chariton and in 1894
turned his attention to the hardware business, forming a
partnership with N. B. Hollinger, with whom he continued for
two years. At
the end of that time the firm became L. H. Busselle &
Company, and the business was afterwards conducted by Mr.
Busselle alone. He
secured a large patronage and continued active in its conduct
until 1907 when he became interested in the organization of
the Lucas County National Bank of which he was elected
cashier. This
responsible position he still holds and his work has been a
helpful factor in making the bank the sound and conservative
institution which it is today.
Mr. Busselle also aided in the organization of the
Lucas County Trust & Savings Bank, which opened its doors
on the 11th of August, 1913, and he is cashier of
this institution also. He
is a director in both the banks and recognized as one of the
leaders in the financial life of the community.
On the 22nd of February, 1911, Mr. Busselle married Miss Eloise Copeland, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, a daughter of Elijah and Amanda (Baker) Copeland, residents of Chariton. Mr. Busselle is connected fraternally with Chariton Lodge, No. 64, A. F. & A. M., and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is interested in public affairs although not active as an office seeker. In addition to his connection with the two banks above mentioned, he is also identified with various other important corporate interests of the city and he is an extensive land owner, holding in partnership with Mr. Eikenberry, eight hundred and fifty-seven acres of the old Mallory estate in Lincoln. This is the location of the famous Ilion, the former residence of the Mallory’s. Mr. and Mrs. Busselle live in Chariton and are numbered among the most highly respected and esteemed residents of the city.