Bush (Thomas and Ellen) Family Papers, 1858-1927

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Summary

Title:
Thomas and Ellen Bush Family Papers
Dates:
1858-1927
Creators:
Bush family, Bush, Ellen A., and Bush, Thomas
Abstract:
This collection contains the Bush family papers, Thomas and Ellen Bush’s professional papers, and miscellaneous land grants and mortgages from San Diego County.
Extent:
0.25 Linear feet (1 box)
Language:
and Collection materials are in English and Spanish.
Preferred citation:

Thomas and Ellen Bush Family Papers, MS 241, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains personal and professional papers related to the Bush family, as well as miscellaneous land grants and mortgages from San Diego County. It includes the Bush family’s legal and financial papers and mortgages, as well as the professional papers of both Thomas and Ellen Bush. There are documents related to the School Board of Trustees, on which Thomas Bush served for many years, as well as documents related to the San Diego Postmaster. The collection also includes miscellaneous land grants, declarations of homesteads, mortgages and property deeds of numerous San Diego residents. Of particular interest are Thomas Bush’s Will, Ellen Bush’s teaching certifications, and professional testimonials and letters of recommendation for both Thomas and Ellen. An additional document of note is a Redemption of Real Estate Certificate for Horton’s Addition.

Biographical / historical:

Thomas Henry Bush was born in Pennsylvania on June 8, 1831, and first came to California in 1853. During this period, he married Ellen Augusta Porter. The couple’s only daughter, Bertha, was born in San Francisco in 1863. Before establishing himself in San Diego, Bush was a bookbinder in San Francisco and later ran a store in Baja California where he mined locally. He came to San Diego in 1865, and became Postmaster in Old Town in 1868. That same year, he was appointed county judge to replace Julio Osuna, a position he held for eight years. Bush was also a member of the City and School Board of Trustees. As a city trustee he was instrumental in the sale of the city lands to Horton, and actually signed the deed. Bush was absent from San Diego between 1878 and 1887 as he returned east to visit his native state and also engaged in prospecting. After returning to San Diego in his later years, Bush was a notary and served as the Director of the San Diego and Gila Railroad, and the Secretary of the San Diego Society of Pioneers. His wife, Ellen, was an early teacher in Old Town.

Processing information:

Collection processed by Katrina White on July 11, 2012.

Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

Arrangement:

Collection materials are arranged by subject.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Katrina White
Sponsor:
Collection processed as part of grant project supported by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) with generous funding from The Andrew Mellon Foundation.
Date Prepared:
July 11, 2012
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2012-12-07T10:40-0800

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.

Preferred citation:

Thomas and Ellen Bush Family Papers, MS 241, San Diego History Center Document Collection, San Diego, CA.

Location of this collection:
1649 El Prado, Suite 3
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 232-6203
Website