JOHN R. BUSBY, b. 1869, d. 1942
John R. Busby, of Rose Hill, who is engaged in the banking business and also
carries on a mercantile enterprise which he has conducted for twelve years, is
one of Mahaska native sons, his birth having occurred in Oskaloosa, November
25, 1869. He is a son of Elijah Busby, who is mentioned elsewhere this work.
The father was born in Carroll county, Ohio, and when a young man came to
Iowa, settling in Mahaska county, where he was married to Eliza Bass. She
was born in Indiana but was reared in Iowa, her father, William Bass, being
one of the pioneer settlers of this state.
John R. Busby spent his youth in his parents' home, acquiring his education
in the public schools of Mahaska county and afterward attending Des Moines
College. He remained with his father until nineteen years of age and for about
a year engaged in teaching school. He studied pharmacy and afterward spent two
years as a pharmacist in Des Moines. He then came to Rose Hill and purchased
a drug and grocery store, since which time he has been identified with the
business interests of this town. He soon built up a good trade and has
enlarged the scope of his undertakings by putting in a stock of dry goods and
shoes. He now carries a large and complete line of general merchandise and
has a liberal patronage owing to his reliable business methods. His earnest
desire to please his patrons and his reasonable prices. In 1900 he established
the Rose Hill Savings Bank, a stock bank capitalized at $15,000. The president
is Robert Bass, while Mr. Busby is cashier. A prosperous business is being
conducted and Mr. Busby has thoroughly acquainted himself with banking in all
of its departments, so that he is able to give excellent service to the public.
The institution has long since become a paying one and is a valued addition to
business interests of Rose Hill. It is to the bank that Mr. Busby gives the
greater part of his time and attention.
On the 1st of January, 1894, was celebrated in Jasper county the marriage of
John R. Bushy and Miss Lulu Austin, who was born and reared in that county.
She was educated in Oskaloosa and in Des Moines and is a daughter of Henry
Austin, a native of Maine, who spent his boyhood and youth in the Pine Tree
state. Later he came to Iowa and owned and conducted a big stock farm in Jasper
County. He was a pioneer there, entering land from the government and was
closely associated with the early development and progress of that part of the
state. Mrs. Busby was reared and educated in Jasper county and by her marriage
has become the mother of one child, Lois. Mrs. Busby belongs to the Friends'
church but attends the Methodist Episcopal church at Rose Hill. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Busby are deeply interested in the
work of the church and of the Sunday-school and he has served as Sunday-school
superintendent for several years. They contribute generously to the support of
the church and do everything in their power to promote its growth and extend
its influence.
Politically Mr. Busby is independent and has never sought or held office,
preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests and other
duties. He is one of the active and prosperous business men of Mahaska county,
a good financier and man of keen discernment. He is public spirited in an
eminent degree and while advancing his individual interests has also
contributed to the general welfare. He built a large double store building in
the town, also a residence and has thus contributed to the material
improvement of the village. He is ever ready to give aid and encouragement to
all enterprises for the advancement of the community and he is well known in
Oskaloosa and Mahaska county, he and his estimable wife enjoying the warm
regard of a very large circle of friends here. Their influence is distinctively
on the side of the just, the true and the beautiful, and their genuine
personal worth is recognized by all with whom they have come in contact.
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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy
Iowa Genealogy
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