JAMES BUSSEL, one of the prominent pioneers of Union Township, is a native of Green County, Ohio, where he was born February 4 1820. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (Morgan) Bussel. The former was born in Northumberland County, Pa, March 24, 1785, and was reared in that county. After maturity, he emigrated to Green County, Ohio, and about 1810, was united in marriage with Sarah Morgan, daughter of Jonathan Morgan, a native of Virginia. Sarah was born in Virginia, on December 25, 1792, but her parents soon afterward removed to Kentucky and thence to Green County, Ohio, and ended their days near Bloomington, Ills. During the War of 1812, he served his country against the British and fought principally against the Indians. In 1821, he resolved to seek a home in the west, where land was cheap. Accordingly, in September 1821, he came to Rush County, and Selected a wild tract of land in the southeast quarter of Section 19, Union Township, where he erected a rude log cabin, and returned to Ohio for his family. He spent a part of the winter in Ohio, and on February 2, 1822, landed his family in his little cabin, which was without a floor. Mr. Bussel set about to clear up a home, and for ten years he lived upon this farm, when he removed to the farm where our subject now resides; this was also a wild tract of land, and once more he started in the forest. He built a hewed log house, which stands as a monument of pioneer days. Here he and his loved companion resided until called to rest. The former passed away February 23 1843, the latter June 2, 1871. They were members of the Christian Church. James Bussel obtained but a limited education, and at the age of twenty-one, he began to do for himself by engaging in farming on the old home farm. After the death of his father, he purchased eighty acres of the old homestead, on which his residence now stands. In August, I843, he was married to Susannah, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Furry, old settlers of Union Township, now deceased. Mrs. Bussel was born in Union Township in 1828, and was called away on September 7, 1844. She was a member of the Christian Church. This union was blessed with a son, Solomon, who died in infancy. Mr. Bussel was again married March 18, 1847, his choice being Miss Elizabeth J. McMillin, daughter of John and Susan McMillin, who were among the first settlers of this county. She was born in this township on July 12, 1829, and departed this life November 29, 1858. She was a member of the Christian Church. This union was blessed with four children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Susan J., born October 12, 1848; John T., born June 19, 1851; Sarah E., born December 29, 1854; Jessie F., born October 14, 1857. On May 22, 1860, he was married to Miss Margaret I. Ash; daughter of Elijah and Mary A. (McCormick) Ash the former was a native of Virginia. Margaret was born in Shelby County, Indiana, July 12, 1840. This union was blessed with two children: James A., born April 18, 1861, and an infant unnamed, who was born July 7, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Bussel are members of the Christian Church, and have been with the church forty-five years. Politically, he is a Republican, and firmly upholds the principles of that party. He now owns one of the best-improved farms in the township, consisting of 341 acres.

History Of Rush County Indiana
Brant & Fuller
Chicago
1888
Page 768, 769


[Bio provided by Beverly Busselle Plack]