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HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, page 403 & 404
Probably no other person in the early history of Mitchell County influenced so many people for good as Professor Alva Bush. He came to Osage with his family from Fayette, Iowa, in January, 1863. The journey was made by team in a conveyance of his own construction. Professor Bush was born in Busti, Chautauqua county, New York, January 25, 1830. Through the influence of a sweet Christian mother he was converted in early life and joined the...
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HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, page 403 & 404
Probably no other person in the early history of Mitchell County influenced so many people for good as Professor Alva Bush. He came to Osage with his family from Fayette, Iowa, in January, 1863. The journey was made by team in a conveyance of his own construction. Professor Bush was born in Busti, Chautauqua county, New York, January 25, 1830. Through the influence of a sweet Christian mother he was converted in early life and joined the Baptist church. He attended the Jamestown Academy, near his early home. On April 28, 1853, he was married to Eliza Jane Moore. Later they came west, and for a time he attended Burlington Collegiate Institute, Burlington, Iowa. The family then moved to Fayette County.
He was ordained to the gospel ministry at Strawberry Point in 1859. He was always strongly drawn to the work of teaching. The opportunity to test his powers as a teacher came when Professor William Brush, president of Fayette College, was called to service in the Union army, and Professor Bush took his place for a time in the college. He liked the work so well that he promptly accepted the offer to start the Cedar Valley Seminary. When the family moved to Osage it consisted of the parents and three little daughters, the youngest of whom was a babe in arms. They lived in the old jail the first winter, and suffered much with the cold. The founding of the seminary is described in the chapter on schools. In the fall of 1865, Professor Bush was elected superintendent of Mitchell county schools and filled that office successfully four years. This helped to extend his acquaintance and influence in the entire county. He served as pastor of the Osage Baptist church from 1866 to 1873, and in 1877 and 1878. He also preached in many of the outside towns and schoolhouses, and helped to organize several nearby Baptist churches.
In 1868 he received the honorary degree of A. M. from the old University of Chicago,: and in 1880 the degree of LL. D. from the University of Des Moines.
Five daughters and one son came to bless the Bush home. That home was the center of good influences and good cheer for man , many years to a large circle of devoted friends. On June 26, 1881, Professor Bush died suddenly from a stroke of apoplexy. The whole community mourned his early death, for his was a singularly inspiring and lovable disposition and he had the respect and love of all who came under his influence. Having passed from this earth he still lives in the affections of his pupils.
His wife lived until January, 1917, most of the time in the home of her youngest daughter, Mrs. Grace Gardner, and her life and influence was a blessing to her church and community. Mrs. Abbie Button, of South Dakota, Mrs. Grace Gardner of Osage, and Mr. Albert L. Bush of Boise, Idaho, now survive; while Mrs. Clara Call outlived her mother but a few months. There are a large number of grandchildren who honor the name and memory of their grandparents.
Transcribed, March 2003 by Gordon Felland
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Historical Sketches of Iowa Baptists, 1886.
REV. ALVA BUSH, LL. D., Principal of Cedar Valley Seminary, died June 26, 1881, at Osage. He was stricken with paralysis, in the street, June 23, and lived but three days. He was born January 25, 1830, and was married in 1853 to Eliza J. Moore of Jamestown, New York. His education was, mainly, received at Jamestown Academy and at Burlington University, Iowa. He was ordained pastor of the church at Strawberry Point in November, 1859, and was afterwards pastor at Fayette, and instructor in the Upper Iowa University. In 1863 he went to Osage and began the Cedar Valley Seminary, where we have already traced his most honorable career for eighteen years. He was recognized as one of Iowa's ablest educators. "A thorough scholar himself, he impressed upon his pupils his own methods of thought and study. His bearing and presence were an inspiration to those who learned of him." "Thus in many respects was Prof. Bush a model man."
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Name: Rev. Alva Bush
Death Date: 26 Jun 1881
Page #: 18
Birth Date: 25 Jan 1830
Cemetery: Osage
Level Info: Mitchell County, Iowa Grave Records |
