The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-15
Daughter-in-Law Ill.
Ex-GOv. Bushnell's Career.

Asa Smith Bushnell, fortieth governor
Of Ohio, was born in Rome, Oneida
county, n. Y, September Is, 1894 His
father was Daniel Bushnell, of Lisbon
Conn. son of John Bushnell. a soldier
OF the Revolutionary war, who served
first In Capt. Charles Miers company of
General Waterburys brigade. and after
ward Joined the army of Washington
at Tarrytown. \. Y. Daniel Bushnell
and his family moved to Ohio about
1915, settling in Cincinnati, and there
Asa Bushnell remained until 1851. when
ne became a member of the thriving
community of Springfield, Clark county.
Ohio.
Without money, friends, or influence.
but the possessor of clear head, active
habits, and good health. Asa Bushnell
entered upon a business life. He became
a clerk in a DIRK goods store and served
there three years. He then became
bookkeeper in the firm Of Leffel. Cook &
Blakeney, and remained in their en-
ploy until the spring of 1857. when he
accepted a position with warder, Bro
kaw d Child, manufacturers of mowers
and reapers.
In Drug Business
In the fall of the same year he formed
partnership with Dr. John Ludlow. il,
the drug business, which continued fo,.
ten years. and then he was admitted as
a partner in the concern of his old en-
ployers. the firm having been changed to
Warder. Mitchell & Co. In this business
he continued with great success. being
the president of warder. Bushnell.
Glessner & Co, successors OF the old
firm, and one Of The leading companies
in the manufacture of mowers and reap
ers in the United States
Mr.. Bushnell was for years president Of
the First National Bank Of Springfield
and. at the head OF several corporations
He was a member of the Protestant
Episcopal church. a thirty-second degree
Scottish Rite Mason, and trustee Of the
Ohio Masonic Home. 70 which he gave
$4,000 in 1891. thus obtaining for SPRING
field the location of the institution
During the civil war he raised COM
pany and served in 1864 under Gen David
Hunter as it's captain i'm the 152d Ohio
Volunteer Infantry in the Shenandoah
valley He was an enthusiastic member
Of the Grand Army Of the Republic, be-
ing enrolled with Mitchell Post, Spring.
field. He was also one Of the founders
and officers Of the Ohio Society. Sons Of
the Revolution. For four years he was
quartermaster general on the STAFF Of
Gov Joseph B. Foraker.
Prominent in Politics.
Governor Bushnell for many years
was prominent in Ohio Republican poll
tics. having been a member of nearly
every State and national convention
within the last two decades. In 1892 he
was one Of the delegates-at-large to
the Minneapolis convention and in
March. 1896. ne was unanimously chosen
as one OF the elegates-at-large to the
St. Louis convention. After being ac-
lively engaged in local campaigns he
was drafted into State politics. and in
1856 became chairman of the Republi-
can State executive committee. under
the management of which the party
not only elected Governor Foraker by
handsome plurality. but also accom-
plished the unprecedented result Of OBJ
tanning majority IN the General As
sembly without the vote Of Hamilton
county. and thus re-electing John Sher-
man to the United States Senate.
In 1887 he was nominated by acclama-
ton as the Republican candidate for
lieutenant governor on the ticket OF Gov
ernor Foraker. but for business rea-
sons. declined TO accept the nomination.
Elected Governor.
In 1889 there was general demand
that he should head the State ticket
OF his party. but he positively refused
TO allow his name TO be used In 1891 he
was again urged to become guberna-
torial candidate. but declined and sup
ported Major William Mckinley. who
became the nominee by reclamation. He
refused several times to become Con-
Rressional candidate. and when in May.
1885. the Republicans. assembled in con
vention in GAINESVILLE. tated him as
their candidate for governor. he had not
sought the honor
lie was elected in November 1895 by
Purity Of e. 622 a victory greater than
any achieved before by an Ohio gov
ernor. save John Borough. who was a
wartime candidate. and received prac-
ticaly the entire vote cast On Novem-
Der T. 1897 he was reelected receiv-
ing a plurity OF p, OBS. the greatest ever
given in Ohio in n year following a
Presidential election