From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1479-1480
 
JOHN BUSHMAN.  The gentleman whose name heads this review is one of the 
leading farmers in Spring Prairie township, Walworth county, and this volume 
would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of him, at least, 
briefly setting forth the leading facts of his busy career.  Tireless energy 
and honesty of purpose are the chief characteristics of the man.  He believes 
in progress, in adopting the most approved twentieth-century methods in his 
work and in forwarding all movements looking to the general upbuilding of his 
community.
 
John BUSHMAN was born in this township on January 29, 1866.  He is the son of 
Henry and Elizabeth BUSHMAN, both natives of Germany, where they spent their 
early childhood, emigrating to the United States when young and settling in 
Walworth county, Wisconsin, when the county was little developed, about 1853.  
In that year they were married in this county, each having come to the new 
world single.  They worked hard, were economical and here established a good 
home in due course of time.  Five children were born to them, all of whom are 
living.  Henry BUSHMAN became the owner of one hundred and fifty-six acres of 
good land, and here he farmed and raised stock the rest of his life, dying in 
1895, his widow surviving until 1904, dying at Burlington, Wisconsin.  
Politically, the father was a Democrat and a worthy member of the Catholic 
church.
 
John BUSHMAN was reared on the home farm and received his education in the 
rural schools of his locality, and early in life he turned his attention to 
farming which has continued to be his life work.  He has prospered through 
close application and good management and at one time owned three hundred and 
sixteen acres, but some time ago sold thirty acres, now owning two hundred and 
eight-six acres, which constitutes one of the choice farms in Spring Prairie 
township, and which he has kept well improved and well cultivated.  He keeps a 
good grade of live stock, and he has a commodious and well furnished home and 
large, convenient outbuildings.
 
Mr. BUSHMAN was married in 1898 to Dora WENKER, who was born in Germany in 
1881, the daughter of John and Dora WENKER, natives of the fatherland, where 
they grew up and were married and from which they emigrated to the Untied 
States in 1883, locating in Walworth county, Wisconsin, and spent the 
remainder of their lives here, both dying in the town of Burlington.  To Mr. 
and Mrs. BUSHMAN has been born one son, John Joseph Frank, whose birth 
occurred on March 14, 1900.
 
Submitted by Carol