This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Bush, Grimshaw, Gray, Anderson, James Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kg.2ADI/1794 Message Board Post: The Pike County Republican, Pittsfield, Illinois, Wed. Nov. 18, 1931: "W.C. Bush, Democrat Editor Dies after Illness of Months. There was sorrow and deep regret throughout this community and all of Pike county when it was learned Tues. morning that William C. Bush had passed quietly away during the night. With one sigh of relief his suffering which had lasted for months was ended. William Carroll Bush was the second child of Joseph Merrick Bush of New England stock and Mary Alicia Grimshaw, who sailed with her parents from Belfast, Ireland, at the age of six. Her parents settled within a quarter of a mile of Atlas in 1935. Joseph Merrick Bush came here soon after his father, Daniel B. Bush, in 1836, from Pittsfield, Mass., after which this town is named. Will Bush was born on Feb. 26, 1851 at the home of his Grandfather Grimshaw, which was built by him where the present Congregational parsonage now stands on West Fayette street. His early boyhood days were spent on the farm northwest of town then owned by his father, and now belonging to the King estate. While there he lost his oldest brother and sister in a siege of typhoid fever from which six of the seven members of the family were ill. In 1865 his father bought the Pike County Democrat and the family moved to town. In their early manhood, the father took into partnership his two sons, William C. and Joseph M. Bush, and this partnership continued for many years until because of his advanced age the father retired. The two sons continued the partnership until the death of the brother Joseph in Nov. 1914. William acquired the brother's interest and the business has since been continued by him with the assistance of his son, Carroll, until about two year ago his illness became so acute that the son took complete control and is now carrying it on. Besides editing the paper, Mr. Bush was also postmaster under President Cleveland, and during his four years of service never missed a day at his post of duty. At one time he also managed a book and stationary store on the west side of the square. He was a consistent member of the Congregational church and for a quarter of a century was clerk of the board and kept the records of the church. His family were also members. On Sept. 3, 1879, he was married to Miss Mollie Gray, daughter of Cyrus Gray. In her early childhood, her mother had died and she had been reared by the grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen R. Gray, who lived in the house where Mr. Bush was born and where the young couple were married. Mrs. Bush passed away on Aug. 15, 1928. To them were born three children: William Carroll Bush, Jr., and Mrs. Helen Bush Anderson of this city, and Mrs. Mary James, wife of Ray James of Perry. They with the three grandchildren, Virginia and Winthrop Anderson of Pittsfield, and Ellsworth James of Perry, together with two brothers, Henry Bush, Pittsfield, and Dan B. Bush of Springfield, are left to mourn his loss. A man of few words, comparatively little was known of the ills that beset Mr. Bush's path. Even as a boy, severe headaches compelled him to give up his studies and this affliction lasted many years. In later life he had other troubles, all painful. About four years ago these increased until, on Tues. morning as the clock was striking three, the slow but certain hand of time reached out and gathered him peacefully to his father. Few men have suffered more than he, and it is certain more complainingly. In later days, he wished that he might go on, but at no time did he berate his fate or complain of injustice in his sufferings. A quiet man of unquestionable character and honesty, he lived a long life worthily. He had no enemies but made a host of friends who will mourn his absence and will miss him through the years. He was a man of whom his family was sincerely and justifiably proud, one whom parents could hold up to their children as an example for he had no habits, but would bear discussion. Through more than four score years he lived, a gentle gentleman, clean of word, celan of thought, clean of act; virtues we all so highly prized. And now the battle is fought, peace has come, pains are gone, the fevered brow is cool and out through the darkness into the light, He leadeth me. No mention of his last illness would seem honestly complete that did not acknowledge the sacrifice and unceasing service of his nurse, Mrs. Fannie Dell, who has been persistent in her efforts night and day to make this suffering man more comfortable and to ease his pain. He had asked her many times to stay with him ! until the end. She made the promise and those about the home knew how well she fulfilled it; her service could not have been more faithful had it been her own father, and for all of this his sorrowing relatives pray that she may be blessed."