James and Eliza (Shockley) Bush

James Bush and Eliza Shockley were both born about 1820 in Ross County, Ohio. At the age of 20, the young couple were married at the courthouse, and together they built a life in rural Ohio. James started off as a farmer, and over time, they purchased 17 plots of land, including one with a tavern. They were people of modest means. They had 13 children while living in Ohio.

However, they faced hardships and one by one, eventually had to sell all their plots of land. They must have faced serious financial difficulties as the last several properties were sold by the local sheriff at auction.

After losing a young three year old son, they moved to Indiana around 1860 for a fresh start. James was now fifty, and his son Angus "Hank" who was nineteen, both worked on the railroad which was considered one of the lowest, most difficult and dangerous jobs a man could have. The Bushes later settled in Muncie and lived in the city, where most of their adult children remained. They lost another son Estel who died when he was just twenty-one. Three of their sons ventured further west; Bill and Jim to Colorado, and Al to Missouri, settling in Barry County, Missouri.

James died in 1876 at the age of fifty-seven and is interred at Beechgrove Cemetery in Muncie. After his passing, Eliza lived as a widow in the family residence on West Main St. with some of her adult children and a son-in-law. She was a member of the Methodist church and held in high regard by her acquaintances. Eliza passed away in 1883 at sixty-three and is buried beside her husband James.