George P. Bush

GEORGE P. BUSH, one of the most prosperous and progressive business men of Chetopa, Labette county, Kansas, is the proprietor of one of the most completely stocked drug stores in the county. He has been located here since 1877, and has a wide acquaintance throughout this section. He was born April 8, 1853, in Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois, and is a son of Oliver W. and Esther (Calender) Bush.

Oliver W. Bush was a prominent farmer and stockman of Scotland county, Missouri, whither he moved when George P. was quite young. He was at one time wealthy, and resided eight miles west of Memphis, Missouri, but, being one of the only three Union men in that locality, was a heavy financial loser on account of the war. He was at one time almost forced to leave the country by the Secessionists. He subsequently moved to Kansas, and died at Concordia. His wife died in Scotland county, Missouri. They had three children: Emma, of Pennsylvania; George P.; and William E., who resides near Minneapolis, Minnesota.

George P. Bush was reared in Missouri, and first worked upon his father's farm. He learned the trade of a jeweler, and after moving to Oswego, Labette county, Kansas, in 1877, followed that trade for several years. He then embarked in the drug business at Oswego, where he conducted a store until 1886. He then moved to Chetopa, where he has since engaged in the same business with great success. He carries a very heavy stock of all goods in the drug line, - its value being upwards of $10,000. Some years ago, he erected a fine brick building, 24 by 75 feet, in dimensions, with a warehouse in the rear 24 by 20 feet in size, and now has a handsomely equipped store. He owns a fine residence property in the city, located on Maple street, and also a good barn, located near town, and valued at $5,000. He had very little means upon coming to this town, and his success has been attained almost wholly in Labette county. Mr. Bush was united in marriage, at Oswego, to Clara Newlon, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of Dr. Newlon. She is a graduate of Keokuk Medical College, and was engaged extensively in practice, at Chetopa, until the past year. This union resulted in one child, C. W. Bush, now nineteen years of age, who is in attendance at the Wentworth Military Academy at Lexington, Missouri, - he is also studying pharmacy, and gets the necessary practical experience in his father's drug store. In politics, George P. Bush has always been a Republican, and has served two years in the city council, and six or seven years on the board of education, of Chetopa. Fraternally, he is a member of Chetopa Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Oswego Commandery; Wichita Consistory, No. 2; the I. 0. 0. F., of Chetopa; the Knights of Pythias, of Chetopa; and the B. P. 0. E., of Parsons. Mrs. Bush is a member of the Eastern Star lodge. She belongs to the Presbyterian church.