Job RUSH, one of the early settlers of Ringgold County, and an enterprising citizen of Mount Ayr, was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 29, 1834, a son of Job and Anna (RINEHART) RUSH, the father a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of New Jersey. They came to the State of Ohio with their parents, and were there married, and to them were forn four children, two sons and two daughters, three of whom are yet living. The father died at the age of seventy years, the mother dying at the age of forty. Benjamin RUSH, the great-grandfather of our subject, was on of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Job RUSH, the subject of this sketch, remained on the home farm until twenty-two years of age, and received his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. In 1857 he came to Ringgold County, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of land in what is now Monroe Township. He erected good buildings on his land and engaged in raising hogs and cattle until he removed to Mount Ayr. He was married in August, 1860, to Miss Louisa J. McCLAIN, a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, but at the time of her marriage living in Ringgold County. They have three daughters - Hattie A., wife of William REASONER; Martha J., wife of Thomas SLOAN, and Eunice H., at home. Mr. RUSH was a soldier in the late [Civil] War, enlising [as a Private] in 1864, in Company G, Fourth Iowa Infantry, as a veteran recruit, and was immediately sent to the front. He participated with his regiment in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and others, and was engaged in skirmishing in and about Atlanta. He was with General SHERMAN on his march to the sea, thence to the surrender of General JOHNSTON's army, and too part in the grand review. He was discharged [as a Corporal] at Louisville, Kentucky, in July, 1865, being mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, when he returned to his farm in Monroe Township. He removed with his family to Mount Ayr January 1, 1886 and became associated with W. H. ROGERS in the furniture business for the three years previous. This firm does a general business in furniture and undertaking, under the style of ROGERS & RUSH. Mr. RUSH, since coming to Ringgold County, has been a member of the Board of Supervisors, held the office of justice of the peace three years, was assessor one term, and for many years served as trustee and clerk of Monroe Township.

NOTE: Job RUSH died at the age of 68 years on February, 1895. Louisa (McCLAIN) RUSH died at the age of 65 years on May 21, 1896. Job and Louisa were interred at Oliver Cemetery, Monroe Township, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 229-30, 1887

WPA Grave Survey; IAGen Gravestone Photograph Project

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

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