Asahel Bush

Asahel Bush
Born	June 4, 1824 Westfield, Massachusetts
Died	December 23, 1913(1913-12-24)(aged 89) Salem, Oregon
Occupation	Publisher
Spouse	Eugenia Zieber

Asahel Bush(June 4, 1824 – December 23, 1913) was an American newspaper publisher and businessman inSalem, Oregon.As publisher of theOregon Statesmannewspaper, he moved the paper to Salem when the territorial capital moved to that city. AMassachusettsnative, Bush became the first official printer for the state ofOregon,and his estate is now acity park.

Early life

Asahel Bush was born inWestfield, Massachusetts,on June 4, 1824.His parents, Asahel Bush, Sr. and Sally Noble Bush, were of English descent.The younger Asahel attended public school and later Westfield Academy, then at the age of 17 moved toSaratoga Springs, New York,where he became an apprentice printer.Bush later worked for a newspaper before studying law.He passed thebarin 1850 in Massachusetts, but soon left for the Oregon Territory by the steamship Panama,taking theIsthmus of Panamaroute.

Oregon

Bush arrived inOregonin late 1850 atPortlandand settled inOregon City.Once his printing press arrived, he started theOregon Statesmannewspaper in March 1851.In 1853, thecapitalwas moved to Salem and Bush moved the newspaper there as well, where it would later become the SalemStatesman Journal.

In the middle of the century newspapers were partisan instruments used to further political parties. Bush's use of his paper gave him the nickname of "Bushy Bush" and he often sparred with the rival party's newspaperThe Oregonianedited byThomas J. Dryer.Bush quietly disfavored slavery in Oregon. But as an enthusiast for popular sovereignty he supported the right of white male voters to determine the question. He also strongly opposed abolitionists' moralistic and universal opposition to slavery and their support for what he termed "negro equality."For example, he published articles disparaging the abolitionistObed Dickinson,a minister at the Salem Congregationalist Church.In one such article, theStatesmanwrote, "The continuation of Mr. Dickinson's anti-slavery and negro sympathy preachings was calculated only to prevent the growth of the church, and retard the spread of religion."Bush supported the 1857 Oregon Constitutional ban on Blacks immigrating to Oregon.In 1859, Bush became the first official printer for the state of Oregon.As a Douglas Democrat, he opposed the election of Lincoln but ended up supporting the Union during theAmerican Civil War.He left the newspaper business in 1863 when he sold the newspaper.

In 1867, Bush along withWilliam S. Laddfounded the Ladd and Bush Bank in Salem.Ten years later Bush would buy out Ladd and become the sole proprietor of the financial institution.He remained active in politics and was a member of the state Democratic Party's central committee, including time as the chairperson, and in 1892 was a delegate to theDemocratic National Convention.

Later life and family

In 1854, Asahel Bush married Eugenia Zieber of Salem, with whom he would father four childrenSally,Eugenia, Estelle, and Asahel III who would be known as A. N. Bush.Eugenia was the daughter of one of his printer employees, and she would die at the age of 30 in 1863.Bush served as a trustee ofWillamette Universityand as a regent to theUniversity of Oregon.Asahel Bush II died on December 23, 1913, at the age of 89 in Salem and was buried atSalem Pioneer Cemetery.His estate is now preserved asBush's Pasture Parkand his home,Asahel Bush House,is on theNational Register of Historic Places.

External links

• Bush House Museum, Salem OregonArchived2013-12-24 at theWayback Machine
• Images of the Bush Housefrom Salem Public Library's Oregon Historic Photograph Collections