Elias Albert Bushman

Sharing our Links to the Past
by Wally and Frances Gray

Elias Albert Bushman (1849-1925)
(Two Sketches)

Sketch 1

History of Lehi
Published by the Lehi Pioneer Committee
Written by Hamilton Gardner
The Deseret News, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1913
pp. 696-697

Elias Albert Bushman was born December 6, 1849, in Hyland [sic] Grove, Iowa, a son of Martin and Elizabeth Degen Bushman. As his mother was past the age of child bearing when he was born, she considered him a gift form God and called him Elias.

His parents were driven from their home in Nauvoo and were in very bad circumstances.

He was two years old when the family came to Utah. It was a tiresome jurney [sic] for Albert, who was too young to walk. When they arrived at Lehi, he did not enjoy the comforts that children have today. Their food and clothing were meager but Albert grew up healthy and strong. His schooling was very limited. He acquired enough education to handle his business.

March 27, 1879, he married Margaret Zimmerman by whom eleven children were born, eight survived him. They were Elias Albert, Jr., John M. And Suel J. Bushman, Margaret (Mrs. Byron Beck), Sylvia (Mrs. John F. Bradshaw), Ruia )Mrs. George Lewis), LaVerde (Mrs Oliver Kirkham), Evelyn )Mrs. Harmon McAffee). He ruled his children with love and they had the greatest respect or him.

He was a successful farmer and sheep man. He was a good tithe payer, faithful in church duties, fulfilled two missions for the Latter-day Saint Church–one to the Southern States in 1891 and 1892, and to California in 1896 and 1897. He was a member of Lehi Stake Tabernacle building committee from start to finish, and belonged to Alpine Stake High Council at the time of his death October 15, 1925.

Sketch 2

LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 2, p.284

Bushman, Elias Albert, an alternate member of the High Council in the Alpine Stake of Zion, is a son of Martin Bushman and Elizabeth Deagek and was born Dec. 6, 1849, in Pottawattamie county, Iowa. He came to Utah with his parents in 1851 and settled in Lehi, where he was baptized in June, 1858. He was ordained an Elder March 27, 1879, a Seventy Jan. 4, 1884, by William Southwick, and a High Priest April 26, 1903, by Hyrum M. Smith. In 1891–92 he filled a mission to the Southern States and in 1896–97 a mission to California. On another occasion he made a trip to the States in the east, where he visited Nauvoo and Carthage (in Illinois), Kirtland, in Ohio, and the State of Pennsylvania, his father's native State. He also visited the L. D. S. mission headquarters in the cities of New York and Chicago. At home Bro. Bushman has always been an active worker and has filled positions as school trustee, city councilman, Ward teacher, etc. With Margaret Zimmerman, whom he married March 27, 1879, he has had eleven children, nine of whom are still living. Ever since he came to Utah Elder Bushman has been engaged in farming and Lehi, Utah county, has been his permanent place of residence.