Harry and Alta (Dilbeck) Bush

Alta Mae Dilbeck was born in 1894 in Van Buren, AR. She was the oldest of 9 kids. In 1911, when Alta was 16, her parents agreed to a marriage proposal from Earl Shore who was 21. Five years later, they had their first child, a baby girl named Ruby Marzelle. While they appeared to be a happy couple, things were different at home. Earl was an abusive husband, and Alta endured his cruelty.

Harry Bush was born in 1888 near Cassville, Missouri. He went to a local one-room school and subsequently worked at a sawmill. He purchased approximately 100 acres of land outside Cassville, MO, and constructed a house and barn. At some point, Harry and Alta Mae started corresponding with each other.

Harry enlisted in the Army during World War I and was inducted on July 25, 1918. He completed basic training at Camp Pike, Arkansas, and served in France, working with a labor crew. After the war concluded on November 11, 1918, he remained in France for an additional six months before returning to the U.S. in June 1919. By September of that year, Alta Mae's divorce was finalized, and in October, Harry and Alta secured a marriage license in Monett, Missouri. They married and had five more children together.

Harry attended a special program for wounded soldiers sponsored by the College of Agriculture at the University of Missouri. He became a chicken farmer and sold chickens locally. Later in life, he shifted from farming to carpentry and became known in the area for custom floors, cabinetry, and furniture.

Harry and Alta enjoyed a long and happy marriage for 57 years until Harry's death in 1977. Alta continued to live surrounded by her family until her death in 1985. Both are buried in Sparks Cemetery near Cassville, Missouri.