Was born in the town of Pittsfield, in the state of Massachusetts, on the 18th day of May, A. D. 1790, and remained
at home with his parents until 1809, when, after receiving a good common school education, he was admitted into
the academy at Lenox, Massachusetts, where he remained until March, 1810, when he left college with full honors,
returned home to Pittsfield, and entered the law office of the Hon. Col. John W. Hulbert, where he remained an
industrious student for four years, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1814. He remained in Pittsfield and practiced
law successfully until the year 1834, at which time he emigrated to the state of Illinois and located in Pittsfield,
Pike county, where he permanently settled and opened a law office. He successfully pursued the practice of his
profession until about the year 1864, when, on account of his age and poor health, he retired from practice, and
has since devoted his time and attention to making improvements and advancing the growth and prosperity of the
town of Pittsfield.
March 31, 1819, he married Miss Maria Merick, daughter of Joseph Merick, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The fruits
of this marriage were six children. In 1831 she departed this life. February 6th, 1834, Mr. Bush was again joined
in matrimony to Mrs. Adaline Lellen, widow of Rev. John Sellan, and daughter of Captain Joshua Geer, of the city
of New York. The ceremony was performed by the right Rev. Bishop Onderdank. The fruits of his second marriage have
been four sons, three of whom are living, viz: Hon. Joseph Bush, who has ably represented this senatorial district
in the Illinois senate since 1870, and is president of the Pike County Agricultural Society also editor and proprietor
of the popular and ably edited Pike Co. Democrat; Col. Daniel Brown Bush, who commanded the Second Illinois Regiment
of cavalry, now residing in the city of San Francisco, and Hon. Chancey Carrol Bush, who is, and has been for several
years, judge of the county and probate court of Shasta county, California.
Col D. B. Bush, the subject of this sketch, is one of the noted and popular citizens of Pike county. As a citizen,
he has always been one of the true and faithful patriots. He has always been a strong and able advocate of his
political views. He has ever been a willing contributor to all charitable and moral institutions that have a tendency
to improve the morals and advance the prosperity and interests of the country. He has always been a strong advocate
of education, and has probably done as much as anyone for its improvement in his own town and county. He has ever
been ready to aid and assist the poor and needy, and administer to the wants of the widow and orphan; and many
poor persons in Pike county would testify to the many liberal charities they have received at his hands. He has
always possessed active and industrious habits, and we know of no man of his age that moves around with the same
youthful appearance that he does. He transacts all of his own business, and does it in such a manner as to give
satisfaction to all who are interested.
In 1824, Col Bush was captain of an independent company called the Grays, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and was
assigned the honor of receiving the celebrated Lafayette when he passed through Pittsfield, Massachusetts, en route
from New York to Boston. He received him in hollow square, under the flag, fifty yards square. In October, 1843,
Col. Bush was admitted to the bar in the state of Missouri, but did not locate there. The Colonel has held many
high and responsible positions of both honor and trust, and has perhaps now in his possession more commissions
from the different presidents of the United States, and governors of different states, than any other man in Pike
county, and in every capacity he has discharged his duty with fidelity and credit, and in every instance has received
an honorable acquittal.