Source: "Kentucky: A History of the State" by: W. H. Perrin, J. H. Battle, G. C. Kniffin, pub. 1887 by F. A. Battey and Co., Louisville, KY and Chicago, IL pgs. 645 - 646
"HON. WILLIAM WALTER BUSH was born October 9, 1836, in Edmonson County, Ky. He is the third of two boys and four girls born to Isaac and Matilda [Parker] Bush, natives of Barren County, Ky. He was a farmer, and a son of George Bush, of Lunenburg County, Va., who was a soldier in the Revolution; was with Washington and endured all the privations of Valley Forge. Shortly after the Revolution he, with two brothers, immigrated to the far West in search of richer and broader fields; visited upper Kentucky, where a brother remained. George settled in Barren County; his wife was a Miss Phillips. Mrs Matilda Bush was a daughter of Col. Samuel Parker, who was born in Ireland, and came to the United States when a boy with his brother, and settled in North Carolina. On their way to Kentucky, his brother James was killed by the Indians. He, Samuel, continued his journey, and finally reached Barren County, where he settled and improved a farm; was a soldier in the War of 1812, and took part in the Battle of New Orleans. William Walter Bush was reared on a farm and received a plain English education. At the age of eighteen, he commenced teaching, and at twenty commenced the study of law with Ritter & Sampson, at Glasgow. In 1857 was admitted to the bar, and in 1859 located in Franklin, where he has been successfully engaged in his chosen profession. His ability soon brought him before the people, and in 1862 he was elected county attorney. In 1866 he resigned; was taken up in 1867, and elected to represent his county in the Legislature; re-elected in 1871, and in 1883 was elected senator from Simpson, Logan and Todd Counties. In 1868 he was elected Democratic elector; in 1872 he was appointed delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Baltimore, but did not attend this convention because he was not in favor of the Greeley movement. His alternate, James M. Hines, of Bowling Green, attended. In 1876 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held at St. Louis, which nominated Samuel J. Tilden. Mr. Bush has also been mayor of Franklin. He is very popular with his people, and has their confidence and respect, which he well merits. He was never defeated for any office, except in 1869, when he was defeated by about fifty votes. He has great respect for the opinions and wishes of his people, when acting in an official capacity, and commands their respect for advocating and carrying out measures which are of interest to them and the public in general, and his ability fits him for any position in public life. He married January 7, 1864, Virginia Huston, of Missouri; she was born in Kentucky, and is a daughter of A. S. and Amanda [Jewell] Huston, who were born in Kentucky. Five children blessed their union: Mary G., wife of Orlando McClenden, of Georgia; Nellie M., Samuel B., Leslie Salmons and Bessie Blanche. Hon. Mr. Bush and wife are members of the Baptist and Christian Churches, respectively. He cast his first presidential vote for S. A. Douglas. In 1871 he was a candidate for speaker of the House of Representatives, and on final ballot was defeated by Gov. McCreary by a small majority."