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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Frederick W. Bush, a prominent druggist and apothecary of Benton, was born in Cassel, in the State of Prussia, Germany, on January 30, 1837, and is the second son of a family of five children born to Heinrich and Marie (Shoppach) Bush. Heinrich Bush was a lawyer, or prosecuting attorney, and also carried on an extensive probate business, but owing to the rebellion in Germany, in 1848, he came to America and joined his brother-in-law, John W. Shoppach, at Benton. The climate of this country not agreeing with him, he expired of a congestive chill, within five miles of Benton, in the summer of 1849. His wife’s death occurred in 1885. She was the sister of J. W. Shoppach, who for years was an officer of Saline County. Frederick W. spent his early days in Cassel, and was educated in the schools of that city. When fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to a harness and saddle manufacturer, where he remained for three years. The third year he received wages, owing to his ability as a salesman, something that was not usually done. After having become proficient in his trade, he determined to engage in business for himself. Perhaps the correspondence with his uncle, or the love of a Republican government may have decided him to renounce his citizenship, for he took passage in a sailing vessel for America, and arrived here after a tiresome journey of eight weeks. Though the trip was long, and two severe storms were encountered, his ambition was not impaired, and he arrived in New Orleans in December, 1855. He heralded his arrival in Benton on Christmas day, of 1855, two months after which he engaged in the harness and saddlery business, with fair success. His business increased to such an extent that he was obliged to secure the services of several men to supply the demand, but the war breaking out he felt it his duty to fight for his adopted country, and so placed business affairs in the hands of his brother-in-law, George H. Stratman, and offered himself to the First Arkansas Infantry (Col. James Fagan; later general), in April, 1861. He participated in the battles of Manassas, Shiloh (where he was wounded by gunshot in the left arm), Chickamauga, and New Hope Church. At the latter point he was again wounded, this time in the right shoulder. He was also in the engagements at Murfreesboro, Franklin, Nashville, and at Spring Hill. After the Nashville fight, Mr. Bush was not in any regular engagement. He was once taken prisoner, but escaped within three hours, and finally with his company was surrendered in May, 1865. After a few weeks in Georgia, Mr. Bush returned to Benton, only to find his home desolated by the unpitying hand of war. Federal troops had appropriated his stock of goods, and his home had been used as headquarters for the quartermaster’s department. This would have discouraged many, but, with renewed determination, he immediately opened a stock of liquors and groceries, and continued in this branch until 1875, when he sold out and engaged in the drug business. This he has since carried on, with signal success. Mr. Bush’s sister, Eliza, is the wife of George Stratman, a large shoe and boot dealer in Little Rock. Emily died in New Orleans, while on her way to this State in company with her brother. Charles Conrad, the youngest child, who came to Benton, started to California in 1858, and since that time has not been heard from. In November, 1867, Mr. Bush was married to Miss Margaret Angeline Lane, a daughter of James B. Lane, one of the pioneers of Arkansas. She was born in Benton, August 22, 1848. They have the following family: Joanna E. (born September 25, 1871), Frederick Carl (born February 22, 1877), Ernest James (born December 25, 1886), Mary Williams (born July 2, 1869, and died September 14, 1870), Callie O. (born May 28, 1873, and died October 8, 1877). In addition to his store, Mr. Bush has considerable land, owning 360 acres, with sixty under cultivation. He rents farms to tenants, who are evidently good ones, judging from the excellent condition in which the land is kept. He has held the office of school director for four years, also mayor for four years in Benton, and was alderman and treasurer for a long period. The latter position he is holding at the present time, having for six years been deputy county treasurer. Mr. Bush is a member of Benton Lodge No. 34, A. F. & A. M., also of Saline Lodge No. 1319, K. of H., being treasurer of the latter. He and his family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is one of the trustees. Baird’s Institute (a nourishing private school in Benton) counts him as one of its trustees, H. T. Caldwell and himself having been the originators of this institution. Mr. Bush has always been a leader in enterprises looking to general improvement, especially in the support of churches, schools, etc.

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This family biography is one of 100 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Saline County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Saline County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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