BIO: Daniel Griffen BUSH, Centre County, Pennsylvania

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 45-48

DANIEL GRIFFEN BUSH, the father of George T. Bush, was a man of remarkable 
foresight, ability, and energy, and played a leading part in the development of 
Bellefonte and vicinity.  He was a self-made man, and his history shows a 
marvelous degree of pluck and ambition.  He was born in Granville township, 
Bradford Co., Penn., March 28, 1826, and is a descendant of an ancestry which 
was distinguished in the early history of this country.  On the paternal side 
his great-grandfather, John Bush, was a captain in the French and Indian war, 
and was with Gen. Braddock, at Fort DuQuesne, July 9, 1755, at the memorable 
defeat.  Daniel Bush, the son of Capt. John Bush, and the grandfather of Daniel 
G. Bush, was an able man of much more than ordinary education, and although 
crippled through the improper setting of a broken leg, he was one of the leading 
surveyors of his time.  He surveyed the site of the present city of Auburn, and 
was employed by the Spanish Government in 1798 to make surveys in Louisiana.  In 
1807 he established his home in Litchfield, Bradford Co., Penn.  His son, Joseph 
Bush, the father of D. G. Bush, was a millwright by trade, and married Lucretia 
Putnam, a relative of Gen. Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame, and a daughter 
of John Putnam, who came from Great Barrington, Mass., in 1818, and made his 
home in Granville, Penn.  John Putnam served three years as a soldier in 
Washington's forces, having entered the service at the early age of thirteen 
years, and throughout his life gave evidence of the possession of the honesty, 
firmness, and persistence that characterized his illustrious kinsman.  Joseph 
Bush was unfortunate in his financial affairs, unprofitable investments and 
losses through giving security for neighbors exhausting his estate.  He died 
when his son Daniel was a lad of sixteen and the family being separated, the boy 
was sent to work upon a farm at six dollars per month for nine months of the 
year with the privilege of attending school in the winter.  These meager 
advantages did not satisfy his eager longing for knowledge, and many an evening 
he spent in study by the light of the fire.  Reading, writing, spelling and 
arithmetic were the only studies included in the curriculum of the district 
schools of that day, and one who had reached the "rule of three" was looked upon 
as a prodigy.  Grammar and geography were almost an unknown field to the pupils, 
and probably to the teachers.  Under these circumstances Mr. Bush made his way 
until he was himself qualified to assume the duties of a teacher, his first 
school being at New Albany, Bradford Co., Penn., where in 1846 he received 
$10.00 per month and "boarded round."  In the same year he began the study of 
law, and was enrolled as a student in the office of Ulysses Mercur, of Towanda, 
Penn., afterward a judge of the supreme court of this State.  The close of his 
first term as a teacher found Mr. Bush more desirous than ever of securing a 
thorough education, and he determined to enter Whitestown Academy, near Utica, 
N.Y.  The pay for his first term of school was not forthcoming, however, as the 
treasury was empty, and he was told that he would have to wait until the money 
was collected at some time in the future, perhaps three months, perhaps a year.  
Six dollars represented his entire available funds, but in spite of this fact 
and of the opposition of his friends, Mr. Bush packed his effects in an old 
valise, and swinging it over his shoulder he started, staff in hand, to walk to 
Whitestown, a distance of 200 miles.  On his arrival, about the 1st of April 
1847, he found that the rooms of the school were only partially furnished, and 
that he would be obliged to buy a bed.  As he had but three dollars and fifty 
cents left, this news had a discouraging effect, and for a time he felt inclined 
to join a regiment which Major Schofield, one of the proprietors of the hotel 
where he was stopping, was recruiting for the Mexican war.  On hearing his story 
the Major, who was delighted with the young man's pluck, told him by all means 
to continue his studies, and settled the difficulty about the bed by advising 
him to buy a bedtick and fill it with straw, and promised to lend him a pillow 
and other necessaries.  To this good friend Mr. Bush owed much, not only for 
this kindly turn but for practical advice on various points.  The payment of his 
bill at the hotel left Mr. Bush only fifty cents.  The mornings were cold, an 
half this amount was paid for five large sticks of wood, with which he managed 
to get through the term.  Candles were an unattainable luxury, and he was 
obliged to visit the rooms of other students in order to study at night, making 
the excuse of lonesomeness.
   He had heard nothing from home for some time, but finally the postmaster 
informed him that there were three letters for him on which fifteen cents 
postage must be paid.  In after days Mr. Bush must have often thought of the 
time when the lack of this trifling sum meant so much to him.  Telling the 
postmaster that he had no money, he said he would come for the letters the next 
day; but credit was offered and accepted, and with many bright hopes Mr. Bush 
took the missives and rushed to his room to open them.  But alas! Instead of the 
expected remittance he found only excuses and censure for his folly in pursuing 
such an unprofitable course.  The disappointment was keen, and soon Mr. Bush 
realized that he had the new difficulty on hand of raising, before the next day 
should end, the immense sum of fifteen cents.  He knew no one from whom he could 
borrow; but fortune favored him, and learning that Mr. Williams needed help in 
his garden near the school, he went to him and offered to work during the four 
hours which were allowed for exercise.  Six and one forth cents per hour was the 
compensation, and by working two hours that night and two next morning, the debt 
was paid.  This employment continued until the garden was planted, and Mr. Bush 
also found work for his Saturdays, at fifty cents a day, with some farmers in 
the neighborhood; but notwithstanding these efforts he found himself in debt for 
board and tuition at the close of the first term.  The vacation was spent in 
work at twenty dollars a month, to which his employer voluntarily added five 
dollars, saying that he rich deserved it for his unusual efficiency.  Two weeks 
in the harvest field followed, and then came the opening of the second term.  
Board was furnished at the rate of one dollar per week; but he decided that he 
could not afford this, and purchasing some corn meat and molasses he began 
boarding himself, and finding that he could accomplish this for about thirty-one 
cents per week he continued the plan as long a she remained in school.
   The following winter he spent in teaching near Owego, N.Y., and in the spring 
of 1849 he went to White Deer Valley, Lycoming Co., Penn., and taught one year.  
Here he became acquainted with Pelton's outline maps for teaching geography, and 
he decided to go to Philadelphia and, if possible, secure the agency, which he 
accordingly did.  Mr. Pelton being so impressed with his abilities that he made 
him general agent for this State.  He held this position until 1856, when he 
settled at Bellefonte to complete his preparation for the Bar.  His first 
practical knowledge of legal procedure was connected with an unfortunate 
experience.  He had saved about $3,000, which he had placed in the hands of a 
cousin, D. B. Colton, of Athens, Penn., with whom he formed a partnership in 
certain real-estate investments in that city.  The firm failed under Colton's 
management, and Mr. Bush's earnings of eight years were irretrievably lost, and 
a debt of $200 against the firm took the place of the expected profits.  Thus M. 
Bush found himself again at the foot of the latter.  His undaunted energy did 
not fail him, however, at this crisis, and after his admission to the Bar April 
29, 1857, he devoted himself to the practice of his profession with a zeal and 
ability which commanded success.  He had taken an active part in the local work 
of the Democratic party in 1856, and his abilities being noted by the county 
leaders he received an appointment as mercantile appraiser, in 1857.  As time 
progressed, he became interested in real-estate business, and turned his legal 
practice into the hands of a partner, the late George M. Yocum, with whom he 
became associated in 1862.  The present Gov. D. H. Hastings was taken in as 
student-at-law by Mr. Bush, and was afterward taken into partnership with him, 
and Gov. Hastings owes to his preceptor much of later energy and push that he 
has since exhibited.
   Naturally Mr. Bush became a power in the political affairs, being an eloquent 
and fluent stump speaker, but although he was an ardent and tireless worker in 
emergencies, he seemed indifferent to reward.  In 1868 his county presented his 
name as a candidate for Congress, but at Mr. Bush's own request it was withdrawn 
in favor of the Clinton county candidate, Hon. L. A. Mackey, and when in 1876 
the Democracy of Centre county again urged his candidacy, Mr. Bush again 
declined to oppose Mr. Mackey's nomination.  In later years ill health prevented 
his active participation in political affairs.
   As may be inferred from the incidents of his life, Mr. Bush has been 
altogether the artificer of his own fortune and reputation.  He has been an 
intensely busy man all his life, and has demonstrated in the improvements he has 
made in Bellefonte his capacity for business upon a large scale.  He may be 
characterized as a man of great administrative ability, quick to think and to 
decide, pushing with energy to completion whatever he undertakes.  In 1867 he 
erected his own magnificent residence on Spring street, in Bellefonte, and the 
large business block known as the "Bush Arcade," which was burned in 1887, but 
was rebuilt by the estate.  In 1868 he erected the "Bush House" and several 
dwellings and in 1869 he erected a block of three brick dwellings on Spring 
street above the Centre County Bank, and the brick block opposite the "Bush 
House" known as the "McClain Block," besides erecting at many different times 
upward of sixty frame houses.
   Mr. Bush's activity in the development of Bellefonte was not confined to 
Bellefonte alone, as he was prominently identified with railroad interests, 
being the chief promoter and the first president of the road from Norfolk, Va., 
to Elizabeth City, N.C. (now known as the Norfolk Southern), where he owned 
large tracts of land and made many improvements.
   In addition to all the building enterprises in Bellefonte to which Mr. Bush 
did not confine himself, he was also the leader in every industry that was 
founded in that time.  In 1868 he went to Pittsburg and obtained the best method 
of building a glass furnace, with minute details as to cost of building and 
running the same, came home, raised a company, and built the works, subscribing 
considerable stock himself.
   The car works was started in 1873, Mr. Bush contributing the use of the 
valuable water power, and subscribed $10,000 stock, he being elected the first 
president of the company.
   He was also chiefly interested in getting the nail works here.  Mr. Achenbach 
having come to town for the purpose of trying to raise a company, but without 
success, Mr. Bush met him at Lock Haven after he had left, brought him back, and 
immediately called together a few of the influential citizens, and a company was 
formed headed by Gen. Beaver, and the nail works built.
   In order to show their appreciation of Mr. Bush's public spirit, all the 
leading citizens of Bellefonte, on the fourth of May, 1869, joined in a letter 
of thanks to him, and the tender of a public dinner at the "Bush House," which 
Mr. Bush accepted, designating June 1st for the occasion, which passed with 
great eclat.
   Constans Commandery No. 33, Knights Templar, was chartered June 10, 1868, Mr. 
Bush being one of the first signers for the charter, but yielded the right of 
eminent commander to the Hon. S. T. Shugert, he being the next elected eminent 
commander.  He was a charter applicant and the first high priest of the Royal 
Arch Masons, Chapter No. 241, which was chartered in 1872; he also took a 
prominent part in the lodge of Free Masons, and was a thirty-second degree Mason 
of the Scottish Rite Consistory.
   Mr. Bush was married to Miss Louisa Tomb, a daughter of George Tomb, of 
Jersey Shore, whose ancestors settled at Sunbury about 1750, on the 14th day of 
December, 1858, and settled permanently in Bellefonte.  Their issue was three 
daughters and two sons, two of the daughters dying in infancy; Elizabeth married 
Chas. L. Calloway, of Baltimore; George T., at home is the subject of another 
sketch; and Harry is at present the general manager for a lumber company at 
Carthagena, Columbian Republic, South America.  Mr. Bush died on the morning of 
September 23, 1886.  The following notice appearing in the Democratic Watchman 
the next day, would best indicate the feeling of the community at such a 
bereavement:
   "BELLEFONTE'S BENEFACTOR GONE.  The death of D. G. Bush Esq., which occurred 
at his residence in this place yesterday morning, of a complication of diseases 
which have kept him in poor health for several years, removes from our midst one 
of the biggest-hearted, liberal-minded and enterprising citizens this section of 
the State has ever had.  In his death, Bellefonte loses one who has done more to 
build up the town, to enlarge its business facilities, to add to its real 
wealth, and to improve it in every way, than all its other capitalists combines.  
It loses a citizen who every one respected; a neighbor who was loved by all; a 
man who needed no seals or written contracts to require him to keep his word; 
whose integrity was above suspicion and whose liberality in public enterprises 
others might feel proud to emulate."
   The remains of Mr. Bush were committed to the grave at three o'clock on the 
Saturday afternoon (September 25) following his death, in the Union Cemetery.  
During the funeral series and burial all places of business were closed, and the 
people of the town, irrespective of age or sex, mournfully did honor to him who 
had done so much for the town.  The Commandery of Knights Templar from Lock 
Haven, together with the Bellefonte Commandery, performed the last impressive 
services of that order.  The Bar Association attended in a body, he having been 
one whose counsel was often sought by both older and younger members.  The 
ministers of all the Churches in Bellefonte delivered addresses, and the 
attendance upon this solemn occasion was the largest ever witnessed in 
Bellefonte, as every one felt it to be a duty to pay their last respects to him 
who had done so much for his fellowmen.  In the evening the court house was 
crowded to participate in the memorial services of the Bar Association, and many 
feeling addresses were delivered by Hon., A. G. Curtin, Hon. Judges Furst and 
Hoy, Col. J. L. Spangler, Hon. John G. Love, Wilbur F. Reeder, E. C. Humes and 
others.