Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Pages 514, 517

Henry S. Bushman, retired farmer, resident at Coleta, was born Sept. 22, 1822, in Cayuga Co., N.Y. David and Eve (Spangler) Bushman, his parents, were born respectively in New York and Pennsylvania, and were descendants of the class known to history as “Pennsylvania Dutch,” which has furnished some of the best citizens of the Republic. They were married in Cayuga Co., N.Y., and in 1845 came to Illinois, locating in Wysox Township, Carroll County, where the mother is still living and is 84 years old. The father died there Nov. 5, 1882, aged 82 years. They were the parents of six children, four of whom were born previous to the removal of the family to Illinois.

Mr. Bushman was nearly 21 years of age when he came with his parents to Illinois, and he was preceded in birth by one sister. The home farm in Carroll County at the time of purchase, consisted of 80 acres and by later purchase 80 acres more were added. The son was educated chiefly in the township of Victory, in the county in which he was born, and he remained a member of the family of his father until he was married.

That event occurred March 18, 1846, in Wysox Township, when Lavinia Burghduff became his wife. Her parents, Jacob and Tama Burghduff, were formerly residents of Wayne Co., N.Y., and the former died in Michigan. The latter died in the State of New York. Mrs. Bushman was born Jan. 3, 1838, in Wayne Co., N.Y., where she was educated. She died Feb. 3, 1873, at her home on section 11, Genesee Township, and left six children. The deaths of three children preceded her own. Charles H. married Susannah Mull, and they reside on a farm in Genesee Township. Joseph S. married Rebecca Hurless. They live on the homestead of Mr. Bushman. Colonel married Ella Scoville, and is a farmer of Genesee Township. Harlem married Lucinda Morden and they live on a farm at Davis Junction in Ogle Co., Ill. He is a dealer in agricultural implements. Nelson married Carrie Hendricks, and is a grocer at Davis Junction. Sarah resides at home.

Mr. Bushman was married a second time Feb. 9, 1876, at Coleta, to Mrs. Rachel Dull, daughter of Martin and Barbara (Arford) Overholser. She was born in Ohio of German parentage. Her father and mother removed some years since to Coleta, and are aged respectively 76 and 74 years. She was born March 14, 1848, in Tascarawas Co., Ohio. When she was 16 years of age she accompanied her parents to Whiteside Co., Ill. Her first marriage, to Peter Dull, occurred Nov. 12, 1856, and they had five children. One of them, Anna M., is living, and she is the wife of Martin Overholser.

After his first marriage, Mr. Bushman located on a farm in Wysox Township, Carroll County. It contained 160 acres, and he was its proprietor until 1856, when he bought 182 acres of land in Genesee Township, and on which he was many years resident.

In April, 1872, the family came to the village of Coleta, and Mr. Bushman bought two acres of land on which he built a residence. He is the owner of the farm property last mentioned and 11 acres of timber. The former is all under improvements, and supplied with creditable farm buildings.

Mr. Bushman is a reliable Republican, and has held the local offices of the township. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church.