Biographical sketch extracted from:

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. p. 836-838.

JACOB BUSHEE, farmer, at Ossian, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Novemher 22, 1822, son of John and Sarah (Derrick) BUSHEE. His father was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, of French parentage, but being reared among the Germans in that county he learned their language. Far back in the history of the religious wars in Europe and during the prosecution of the war between the Catholics and Protestants, the great-great-grandfather of our subject was one of those who dared to assert his belief in a Power above that of the Pope. The great massacres which followed, in which rivers of innocent blood flowed on the streets, will be well remembered by every reader of history. One of the three men that escaped the merciless sword was the remote ancestor of our subject. The trio separated and BUSHEE alone made his way to the seacoast where a vessel lay at anchor. Concealing himself among the rocks used for ballast, he lay for three days and nights before he allowed anyone to see him, the ship then being far away on the bosom of the sea. Search was made before the vessel sailed, and after she weighed anchor two other inspections were made, but his secure concealment baffled all discovery. He had been discovered by his to enraged avengers prior on board the vessel, but fortune favored him; and to this circumstance is due the fact that a race of men was begun in America, not prolific, but noted in many ways. The discovery of BUSHEE almost caused a mutiny on board the ship. The captain desired to put about and deliver him to the authorities; but between passengers and crew a reconciliation was effected, and money was raised to pay his fare, and he was landed in New York. It is supposed that he made his way to Perks County, Pennsylvania, married and reared three sons. One of these sons was John, who married and became the father of three sons, one of whom was Jacob, the grandfather of our subject, who married Christina Laudich, who also bore three sons. John, the second son, and father of our subject, married Sarah Derrick, who bore three sons — Jacob, Richard and John W. The two latter died young. John had two brothers—Jacob and Isaac, who also married and had three sons. Each of Isaac’s sons were married and in turn became fathers of three sons. Jacob BUSHEE, our subject, was married in Laurel Township, Hocking County, Ohio, to Miss Olive Cave, August 1, 1847, by David Barnhill, J. P. Her father, Rev. Emanuel Cave, was born in Kentucky, and was one of the first settlers of Ohio, and when married to Elizabeth Mounce was unable to read or write. His wife taught him to read, and after his conversion he united with the Methodist Episcopal church. His aptitude qualified him to preach the gospel, and for sixty-six years he traveled and preached the Word to hundreds and thousands of people. His ministry closed with his death, but his last years were spent as a minister of the United Brethren church. In 1850 our sub ject came to this county, settling in Union Township. Twelve years later he purchased land in Jefferson Township. He cleared a seventy-acre farm in Ohio, and since coming to Indiana he has cleared enough land to amount to 300 acres, and at least fifty acres of this contained trees that were cut into logs, rolled and burned with his own hands. His location in Union Township was on the Indian Reserve, and his land was remote from roads. He cut his way to the tract, taking his wife and family into a rude log cabin near his land. Nearly all the men were young and robust fellows, and near his place was a settlement of Hocking County men, which he assisted in rolling logs and erecting their buildings, as well as the men in his immediate neighborhood. During the seven years following almost all the improvements were made. The clearings were divided into tracts, neighbors came in to help roll the logs, and were divided into squads under the leadership of a captain, and much rivalry was manifested among the different companies. Only a few men are now left who aided in the pioneer work of that day. It was then customary to take a "dram" while at work, as it seemed to stimulate to increased exertion among the men. Mr. Bushee, long used to clearing and rollings, was invariably chosen as a leader, and it is well known by men who were then partici pants that his squad was never second in the work. Perhaps no man now living has done more to aid the pioneers than Mr. Bushee, for his heart always had a kindly feeling for the sick or distressed. He aided in the building of almost all the early cabins. One of the most peculiar circumstances of his life was a presentiment which caused him to save the life of a neighbor. Charles Earle, now a resident of Union Township, was dangerously ill. Mr. Bushee had watched by his bedside until he was worn out with fatigue and loss of sleep. Leaving the sick man in care of three watchers, he left the house and was to return the next evening. At two o’clock at night the presentiment came that he must go back and see the sick man, he arose and half-dressed himself, but concluded that it was all a dream, and it would seem silly to go, as he was not to return that night. After breakfast he shouldered his ax and began cutting a tree about a quarter of a mile distant from his house. But when half done the impression came so strongly upon him that he must hasten to the sick man, that he left his ax buried in the tree, ran to the house and as quickly as possible was on his way. With his horse at its highest speed he made the three and a half miles and arrived to find Earle pulseless, cold, and, to all appearances, dying. Used to emergencies, he applied stimulants externally and internally, and later was rewarded by seeing his patient regain consciousness. Had he not acted with such promptness Earle’s death would most probably have occurred a few moments later. Mr. and Mrs. Bushee have eight children—Allen, Sarah E., William, Rhoda, James F., Matilda and Bethilda (twins), and Martha. The oldest son married Jane Woods, and she had three sons. Rhoda married William Amos Arnold. The other children are unmarried. This biography is one of the most remarkable on record, containing as it does the wonderful fact of several generations in which each father had three sons. Mr. Bushee has been one of the most active politicians in the northern part of Wells County, having frequently acted as delegate to the county conventions and has frequently been one of the county central committee.