John B. Grush is a prominent citizen of the township of Pine Creek, where he located in 1846 when he was 18 years of age. In that year his parents removed to Ogle County and settled in the same township in which the son is now the representative of an honored name. Mr. Grush was born in Huntington Co., Pa.,
and is the son of Isaac Grush, the date of his birth being Sept. 22, 1827. He was 18 years old when, in 1846, he accompanied his father’s family to Ogle County. Previous to the change which the removal made in his circumstances, he was employed on a farm two years. He was occupied as a farm laborer four years after coming hither and through two summers managed a breaking team.

In the spring of 1852, he started for California. He made the journey there overland, and arrived at Shasta City Aug. 26th of the same year in which he set out for that land of golden promise. He passed about 14 months in the capacity of a miner, and then became interested in the business of a packer. The train which he conducted consisted of about 50 mules, and the work embraced in the vocation included the sending of supplies to miners and others beyond the reach of the regular traders in the shops and the markets. He remained in California until 1860 when he returned via the Isthmus, to New York. The trip consumed 26 days, through four of which they were almost overwhelmed by a storm on the Pacific.

In the spring of 1861, he bought the farm on which he is at present prosecuting his business plans. May 23, 1861, his marriage to Mary J. Tennis took place. She was born in 1836, in Indiana. The issue of this union were three children, named Ida May, Hattie E. and Alexander J. The mother died Feb. 23, 1870. The second marriage of Mr. Grush took place Aug. 31, 1872, Mrs. Annie (Lee) Berger becoming his wife at that date. She was born in Frankford, Herkimer Co., N.Y. and is the daughter of Stephen and Eliza (Houck) Lee. Her parents were natives of the same county in which she was born. Their family emigrated to Magnolia, Rock Co., Wis. in 1851, where her father and mother died. Her first husband, William Berger, to whom she was married Sept. 4, 1862, went across the plains to Pike's Peak, and was killed by the Indians. By him she had one child, Charles B. There is one child by the second marriage, Otto J.

With the exception of a period of two years, which he passed in Polo, Mr. Grush has been interested farming. His landed estate consists of 240 acres land, all of which is in an advanced state of cultivation. The residence on the place is good and suitable, and the barn on the farm, which was built in 1868, is one of the best in the township. It is 44 x 68 feel in dimensions, and has a basement, costing in construction $t,8oo.

Mr. Grush is a member of the United Brethren Church, and his wife belongs to the Methodist denomination. In political connection he is a Republican of sound and substantial views. He has held various township offices, and is well and widely known for his hospitable and generous spirit.

--Portrait and Biographical Album of Ogle County, Illinois, Chicago, Chapman Brothers, 1886 - copied courtesy of Byron Grush

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