USA > Ohio > Representative citizens of Ohio : memorial-genealogical > Part 2
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Asa Smith Bushnell
was his own son, Asa Smith Bushnell, who has testified to the ability and success of his father as a teacher and disciplinarian. On March 9, 1825, Daniel Bushnell married Harriet Smith, of whom Governor Bushnell, her son, said: "Whatever of success my father attained in his various employments of farmer, teacher, and public officer was due in large part to the great energy, untir- ing effort and cheerful cooperation of my mother. Her house was a model and her heart was in his work. Her life was a benediction, her presence always an inspiration." In 1845 the family removed to Cincinnati, where Daniel Bushnell resided for eleven years, being engaged in teaching and was also justice of the peace and assessor. He was a strong opponent of slavery, and from 1845 to 1856 was an active agent and "conductor" of the "underground railroad." In 1856, he removed to Oberlin, Ohio, where also he served as assessor and justice of the peace, being reelected continuously to the latter office until, on account of advancing years, he declined to serve longer. There also he was active in the interests of fugitive slaves.
To Daniel and Harriet Bushnell were born the following children: Hannah Vera, born January 10, 1828, became the wife of William H. Hayford; Eliza Ann, born April 8, 1830, became the wife of William H. Morgan; Asa Smith is the immediate sub- ject of this sketch; Albert Mason, born March 3, 1839, died May 8, 1887, at Indianapolis, Indiana; Lemira Lee, born March 17, 1846, died February 17, 1847; Harriet Amelia, born December 14, 1848, died October 27, 1850.
(VIII) Asa Smith Bushnell was born at Rome, New York, on the 16th of September, 1834, and was named after his mother's brother. As was intimated above, his early education was gained under the direction and instruction of his father at Rome. He was but eleven years old when the family removed to Ohio, and he remained at home but one year after that. At the age of twelve years he started out for himself. For a limited period he attended the public schools of Cincinnati, and at the age of seventeen years, in 1851, he went to Springfield, seeking employ- ment. For three years he was employed as clerk in a dry goods store, his evening hours being devoted to the study of bookkeep- ing, thus early evidencing those qualities of industry and laudable ambition which were the keynotes to his later success. In 1854, he became bookkeeper for the firm of Leffel, Cook & Blakeney, at Springfield, remaining in their employ until 1857, gaining valu- able experience and acquiring an insight into business methods. In the spring of 1857, he became a bookkeeper and traveling sales- man for Warder, Brokaw & Childs, manufacturers of mowers and
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Asa Smith Bushnell
reapers. He remained in this position but a few months, when he formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Dr. John Ludlow, in the drug business, and, with the exception of the period of his service in the army during the Civil War, he continued in this business for ten years. In 1867, he was admitted as a partner in the firm of his old employers, the firm name being changed to Warder, Mitchell & Company. He was thereafter, up to the time of his death, identified with this company, first as active manager of the enterprise, and later, when the business was incorporated as the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company, he became its presi- dent, continuing in that capacity until his death. This became one of the most extensive enterprises of its kind in the world and much of its success was directly attributable to the business abil- ity and energies of Mr. Bushnell. He also took a live interest in other business enterprises in Springfield, being for many years president of the First National Bank of that city and of the Springfield Gas Company, being also a director in other local business enterprises. In all these enterprises he displayed keen, practical, and effective business judgment and from them, particu- larly the mower and reaper works, he amassed a comfortable fortune.
During the War of the Rebellion, Asa S. Bushnell was not found wanting in his evidence of loyalty to the government. He was a leading spirit in the raising of Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was com- missioned captain and which was mustered in on May 10, 1864. The command served mainly in the Shenandoah Valley and, being assigned principally to guard and picket duty, it was not engaged in many important battles. Captain Bushnell was mustered out with his company and regiment on September 2, 1864.
Politically, Mr. Bushnell was a life-long Republican, and early in his career he took an active interest in political matters, keeping in close touch with the thought of the day. His ability and capability were recognized and in 1885, he became chairman of the Republican State Executive Committee, and in that year the party not only elected Joseph Foraker governor by a hand- some plurality, but secured a Republican majority in the general assembly, thus securing the reelection of John Sherman to the United States Senate. The following year he was appointed quartermaster-general of the State and served four years in that capacity.
In 1887, Mr. Bushnell was nominated by acclamation for lieu- tenant-governor on the ticket with Governor Foraker, but for business reasons he declined to accept the nomination. In 1889.
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Asa Smith Bushnell
there was a general demand that he should head the State ticket of his party, but he positively refused to allow his name to be used, probably through his friendship for Governor Foraker, who was a candidate for renomination. In 1891, he was again urged to become a gubernatorial candidate, but declined and supported William McKinley, who became the nominee by acclamation. In 1892, and again in 1896, he was one of the delegates to the Republican National Convention. In several different years he was urged to stand for Congress, but refused.
In May, 1895, Mr. Bushnell was nominated for governor by the Republicans, though he had not been a candidate and his name had not been formally presented to the convention. He was elected by a plurality of 92,622, the largest plurality that had ever up to that time been received by an Ohio governor with the single exception of John Brough, the war-governor, who received practically the entire vote cast. In November, 1897, he was reelected for a second term as governor, receiving a plur- ality of 28,000, the greatest ever given in Ohio in a year follow- ing a Presidential election. He retired from the office in Janu- ary, 1900, and thereafter devoted the remainder of his life to his business affairs.
Governor Bushnell's administration was not a spectacular one, but was in many respects noteworthy, being, all in all, one of the most successful in the history of the State. He brought to the discharge of the duties of his office, not only ripe experi- ence and a thorough knowledge of business affairs, but a con- scientious desire and intention that, so far as was possible, sound business principles and methods should be applied to the admin- istration of State affairs. He was not hampered by a desire for other or higher official positions, and so, with the directness and candor so characteristic of him, he dealt with the problems be- fore him in a way that secured effectual results. He found that in that portion of the State's affairs for which his life training had eminently qualified him there was room and opportunity for the exercise of his energies, and so thorough was his examination and study of conditions and so practical and efficient his recom- mendations to the legislature, that in its final results his admin- istration is considered one of the strongest in the history of the State. The State's financial situation, particularly its revenues, the various State institutions, the expense budget of the State and other phases of public affairs, all received his careful and in- telligent consideration and were handled, in cooperation with the legislature, in a manner that saved the State many thousands of
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Asa Smith Bushnell
dollars, resulting in improved conditions, many improvements, and to the eminent credit of the administration.
At the time of the Spanish-American War, the governor's promptness and energy resulted in getting the Ohio troops mobi- lized speedily and in placing them in the field before the troops of any other State. In the broad sense of the term, the adminis- tration of Governor Bushnell was a business success. In him the politician was subordinated to the business man and he was constantly vigilant that the best interests of the entire people might be conserved and the public welfare guaranteed.
Religiously, Governor Bushnell was affiliated with the Prot- estant Episcopal Church, being a member and officer of Christ Episcopal Church at Springfield. He had been reared a Congre- gationalist, in accordance with the creed of the Bushnell family from early Connecticut days, but changed his religious connec- tion at the time of his marriage, Mrs. Bushnell being an Episco- palian in religious faitlı.
Fraternally, Governor Bushnell was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he had taken all the degrees of both the York and Scottish Rites, and in the last-named branch he had received the thirty-third and last degree, a coveted honor. He was a member of the Society of the Colonial Wars and a member and one of the founders of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the Revolution. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He was an interested member of the Ohio Archaeological and His- torical Society and of the Old Northwest Genealogical Society.
On September 17, 1857, Asa S. Bushnell married Miss Ellen Ludlow, the daughter of Dr. John Ludlow, of Springfield, Ohio, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To this union were born the following children: Fanny Ludlow, who was born August 22, 1858, was married on December 9, 1880, to John F. McGrew, of Springfield, and they have two children, Ellen Bush- nell, who married Ralph Hollenbeck and lives in Elmwood and have three children, Martha, Dwight, and John, and Fanny Jud- kins who married Ray Johnson and lives in Elmwood; Harriet Elmina, born August 27, 1860, was married on November 22, 1887, to Henry D. Dimond, of Springfield, and their children are, Asa Bushnell, Douglas Marquand, and Henrietta; Alice, born Novem- ber 20, 1862, died September 2, 1864; John Ludlow, born February 15, 1872, married October 14, 1896, Jessie M. Harwood, and they have four children, Asa Smith, Edward Harwood, John Ludlow, Jr., who died in 1906, and Suzanne.
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Asa Smith Bushnell
This review of Governor Bushnell cannot be more appropri- ately closed than by quoting the following words of one who had known him well for years:
"During the four years he was in office he looked after the affairs of the people of the State of Ohio with untiring energy and devotion to their best interests. In the administration of its du- ties he was successful because he brought to their discharge the same qualities which had always characterized his management of large business affairs. It is safe to say that the judgment of history will confirm the opinion of his contemporaries that, among all the distinguished men who have filled that office, Ohio never had a better governor than Asa S. Bushnell. The news of his death came to the people of Springfield as a personal bereavement, for Governor Bushnell was known and loved by all his fellow-towns- men of every rank and condition. On the day of his funeral all business was suspended and the entire city was in mourning.
"His kindness of heart and open-handed generosity were in- dicated as well by large gifts for public purposes, as by the smaller daily gifts and charities to the poor and the needy, ever flowing from his hand. Not only was his life full of kindly deeds, but his friendly nature shone out always in his courteous, genial manner to every one with whom he came in contact. In whatever com- pany or circle he went he made life brighter and pleasanter. In the best sense of the word, Asa S. Bushnell 'bore the grand old name of Gentleman.' "
Governor Bushnell's last public appearance was in Columbus at the inaugural of Governor Herrick, his second successor in the gubernatorial office, in January, 1904. On the afternoon of that day he was stricken with apoplexy and died after an illness of three days, on January 15, 1904.
Eng. by E. G. Williams & Bro NY
John Ludlow Bushnell
HE career of the gentleman whose name forms the cap- tion to this biographical sketch has been a strenuous and varied one, the distinction which he has attained in different spheres of activity entitling him to honor- able mention among the leading men and representative citizens of the section of the State with which his life has been closely identified. To him is due credit for giving additional prestige to the family name, an old and honored one, and adding to the brightness of an escutcheon which shines with peculiar luster in a community long noted for the high standing and dis- tinguished achievements of its business and public men. As busi- ness man, farmer, and private citizen, he is always true to him- self and his fellow men. He is regarded as a strong business man, possessing sound judgment and keen foresight, and who believes in always pressing forward, keeping the wheels of the car of civi- lization ever moving up the steeps. While his activities in a mate- rial way have added to his individual prosperity, they have also added to the welfare of his home city and he has never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but preserves his faculties and the warmth of his heart for the broadening and helpful influence of human life, being a kindly, genial friend and gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet.
John Ludlow Bushnell was born on February 15, 1872, in Springfield, Ohio, his birth occurring in the old Bushnell home- stead on East High Street, not far from the beautiful mansion erected by his honored father and where his mother is now living. He is descended from a sterling ancestry in both paternal and maternal lines, the Bushnell and Ludlow families having long been numbered among the most distinguished in this country. In the Bushnell line, he is of the ninth generation of the family in the United States, the line of descent being as follows:
(I) Francis Bushnell, of Horsted in Surrey, who sailed from London in 1639, and whose wife was Rebekah Holmes. Francis Bushnell was one of the signers of the Plantation Covenant and a member of the New Haven colony, his death occurring in 1646, and his will being the first probated at Guilford.
(II) Richard Bushnell, a son of Francis and Rebekah, re- moved from Guilford to Saybrook in 1647; married, on October 11, 1648, Mary, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Marvin, of Hart-
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John Ludlow Bushnell
ford, who came from England in 1635; he died at Saybrook in 1658, leaving the widow and four children.
(III) Joseph Bushnell, son of Richard and Mary, was born in May, 1651, and married, on November 28, 1673, Mary, daughter of Thomas Leffingwell, one of the proprietors and first settlers of Norwich. Joseph died on December 23, 1746, and his wife on March 31, 1745.
(IV) Nathan Bushnell, seventh child and fourth son of Joseph and Mary, was born at Norwich, February 22, 1686, and died October 7, 1770. He married, first, December 2, 1713, Anne Cary, and, second, September 12, 1715, Mehitabel Allen. Of the eight children by the second marriage, (V) Joseph was the first born.
(V) Joseph Bushnell, son of Nathan and Mehitabel, was born July 20, 1716, and died June 5, 1796. He was twice married, first to his cousin, Abigail Bushnell, and, second, on August 25, 1745, to Elizabeth French.
(VI) Jason Bushnell, fourth son of Joseph Bushnell, was born at Norwich, Connecticut, September 12, 1763, and died near Cincinnati, Ohio, in September, 1847. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in Captain Miel's company of General Waterbury's brigade. In 1785, he married Hannah Kirkland and, after her death, Sarah Smith.
(VII) Daniel Bushnell, fifth son of Jason Bushnell, was born in Lisbon, Connecticut, on February 17, 1800, and died in October, 1884, in Ohio. Removing with the family to Rome, New York, he became a school teacher, in which manner he was employed for thirty years, in connection with farming. On March 9, 1825, he married Harriet Smith, to which union were born the following children: Hannah Vera, Mrs. William H. Hayford; Eliza Ann, Mrs. William H. Morgan; Asa Smith; Albert Mason, deceased; Lemira Ann, deceased; and Harriet Amelia, deceased. In 1845, the family removed to Cincinnati, where they resided for eleven years, removing to Oberlin, Ohio, 1856. There he served in vari- ous public offices, until compelled to decline on account of advanc- ing age.
(VIII) Asa Smith Bushnell, third of the above children, and father of the immediate subject of this sketch, is referred to at length elsewhere in this work and therefore space will not be given to him here further than to say that among the illustrious sons of the Buckeye State none have reflected greater honor on their native State and none is more deserving of specific mention in the history of the State or perpetuation in the memories of her people.
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John Ludlow Bushnell
The Ludlow family also has been conspicuously identified with the history of the State of Ohio. (I) John Ludlow was the first sheriff of Hamilton County, Ohio, and his brother, Israel Ludlow, was one of the founders of Cincinnati. (II) Cooper Ludlow, son of John Ludlow, moved to Clark County, near Springfield, and there engaged in farming, which vocation he fol- lowed there during the remainder of his life. He married Eliza- beth Reeder, and to them, on December 10, 1810, was born a son, (III) John. The latter secured his education in the common schools, and the active years of his mature life were spent in the drug business. He became president of the Springfield Bank and was a leader among the business men of Springfield, being a sup- porter of all movements for the advancement of the city. His career is given in detail on other pages in this work. On August 31, 1835, he married Elmina Getman, of Herkimer County, New York, a union which resulted in the birth of three children, namely: (IV) Ellen, who became the wife of Asa S. Bushnell and the mother of John Ludlow Bushnell, subject of this sketch; Frederick, and Charles.
John Ludlow Bushnell received his elementary education principally under the personal direction of his devoted mother and eventually entered a preparatory school at Kingston-on-the-Hud- son, where he spent two years. He then entered Princeton Uni- versity, where he was graduated with the class of 1894. He was a member of the Ivy Club, the oldest organization connected with that famous educational institution, and he has ever since remained an active member of that club. While a student in the university, Mr. Bushnell formed a close acquaintance with Prof. John G. Hibben, now president of the university, and this acquaintance ripened into a warm friendship that has been kept alive through the subsequent years.
After the completion of his education, Mr. Bushnell at once plunged into active participation with his father in the large enterprise in which he was interested in Springfield, and became a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company, extensive manufactur- ers of harvesting machinery, having a world-wide reputation, and which has since become a part of the International Harvester Company. After the death of Governor Bushnell, the subject assumed more responsibilities, becoming the owner of the mag- nificent Bushnell building on Main Street, one of the finest office buildings in the city, and the home of the First National Bank. The last-named institution has been for many years numbered among the strong and influential monetary institutions of Ohio.
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John Kudlow Bushnell
Mr. Bushnell's grandfather, John Ludlow, had been president of the bank for many years up to the time of his death; Governor Bushnell also had for some years been at the head of the bank, and at the latter's death John L. Bushnell became a director and vice president. In many ways, Mr. Bushnell has shown his inter- est in the welfare of the community and has been actively identi- fied with a number of important enterprises. One of the most im- portant is the Springfield, Troy & Piqua Railroad, an electric line running from Springfield to Troy, and in which Mr. Bushnell took a leading part in promoting and of which he has been president since its organization, in 1904. This road has not only been suc- cessful from an investment standpoint, but has been an important factor in the development and upbuilding of the section of coun- try through which it runs.
As an evidence of the versatile interests which command the attention of Mr. Bushnell, it is worthy of note that he has achieved a notable success as a farmer. He is a firm believer in the farm as the true basis of our national prosperity and that no section of the country offers better inducements to the farmer who will follow right methods than Ohio; also that wealth in the shape of farm lands is less liable to shrinkage in value in times of financial stress than other investments. As an evidence of his faith, Mr. Bushnell, a few years ago, purchased five hundred acres of well-improved land, located on the National Road, seven miles east of Springfield. In the management of this farm, Mr. Bushnell derives no little satisfaction and pleasure, as well as financial profit, for he farms along scientific lines and has demonstrated in an incontrovertible way that a young man on a farm, managing his business with judgment and sound sense, can secure as great and as safe an income and maintain as pleasant and comfortable a home as he who dwells in the city and toils in an office. Mr. Bushnell's particular hobby is fine horses, for which he has a love amounting almost to a passion. This affection for horses is almost innate in him, for from the days in child- hood when he made harness for his toy horses he has found the greatest delight in these animals, a feeling that was strengthened in his mind by the teachings of his humani- tarian mother to love and appreciate them. He has always been interested in the betterment of equine stock in this section of the State, and exerted his influence towards the highest possible standard in breeding and training. Regardless of cost, or the probabilities of profit or loss, having in mind only the improve- ment of the breed and the education of the public mind along these lines, in 1908, Mr. Bushnell was the leading spirit in organ-
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John Ludlow Bushnell
izing and carrying to successful culmination the horse show in Springfield, which has become a permanent affair and of which he has since served as president. He has owned "Irvington Gipsy Girl," "Irvington Gipsy Queen," "Queen Welcome," "Gover- nor" and other fine horses which have proven excellent perform- ers and blue-ribbon winners throughout the Central West, to which section of country he confines his exhibits, though himself a frequent visitor to horse shows in New York City and elsewhere throughout the country. Mr. Bushnell's efforts along these vari- ous lines of activity have resulted in a definite measure of good and have been appreciated by those in a position to recognize the motives which have prompted him in these enterprises.
Politically, Mr. Bushnell is a stanch Republican and in 1912, was a delegate to the national convention at Chicago, which re- nominated Mr. Taft for the Presidency. However, Mr. Bush- nell's business interests are so extensive that he has not found much time to devote to matters political. Fraternally, he is an active member of the Free and Accepted Masons, holding his membership in Anthony Lodge, No. 455, at Springfield; Palestine Commandery, No. 33, Knights Templars, at Springfield, and Anti- och Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Dayton. Religiously, Mr. Bushnell is a member of Christ Episcopal Church, of which his father, Governor Asa S. Bushnell, was a vestryman for forty years, being succeeded in this office by his son, the subject, who takes a deep interest in the welfare of the church, of which he is a liberal supporter. His mother has erected a new parish house, adjacent to the beautiful church, with a bronze tablet commemorating her husband's devotion to the church and the cause of religion.
In the city of Springfield, on October 14, 1896, John L. Bush- nell was united in marriage with Jessie Manton Harwood, who was born, reared, and educated in this city, being the daughter of the late T. E. Harwood, who was for many years the well-known owner of the Springfield Gazette, the official organ of the Repub- lican party and an ardent supporter of Governor Bushnell. To Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell have been born the following children: Asa Smith, born February 2, 1900; Edward Harwood, born No- vember 19, 1903, and Suzanne, born February 27, 1907.
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