Pages 246-247, transcribed by Carolyn Ward from History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas: embellished with portraits of well known people of these counties, with biographies of our representative citizens, cuts of public buildings and a map of each county / Edited and Compiled by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott. Iola Registers, Printers and Binders, Iola, Kan.: 1901; 894 p., [36] leaves of plates: ill., ports.; includes index.



 

Henry Busley
246 cont'd HISTORY OF ALLEN AND  

HENRY BUSLEY.

HENRY BUSLEY, of Elm township, Allen county, successful farmer, and thrifty and progressive citizen, has passed a full score of years within the confines of his county and is a gentleman worthy to be known and trusted. He came amongst us almost a raw English emigrant and purchased a small farm in section 23, township 24, range 19. He reached Iola on the 4th of March, 1880, and the next day was driven into the country by George A. Bowlus, Iola's genial banker, then an ordinary land agent. He sold Mr. Busley the tract above mentioned and the latter brought his family to his new home at once.

Mr. Busley was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 29, 1845, and was left an orphan by the accidental death of his father, Samuel Busley, two years later. There were six children in the family and Henry is the only one who ventured across the Atlantic. Jane Scotney was our subject's mother. Her other children were: John, William, Samuel, Ann, Sarah, and George, Joseph and Jane Reed, the last three by her second husband.

Henry Busley was strictly a farmer boy and at eleven years of age began the task of finding his own keep. He worked seven years for one man at four pounds the first year and at ten pounds a year the last two years. The following four years he spent with another farmer at sixteen pounds per year. The last four years in England were spent as foreman over a farm. In this position he acquired a valuable and accurate knowledge of caring for all kinds of stock belonging to the farm.

On reaching the United States Mr. Busley located in Livingston county, New York, and spent seven years there. He became foreman of a large farm belonging to Mr. William Hamilton, a leading man of that county. He was induced by Arnold and Kemp, emigration agents, to make a trip to the west with the result as above mentioned.

Farming in the west Mr. Busley has found to be different to farming in England or New York. He has been able in the years he has cultivated Kansas soil to not only improve his original home but to add to it a half

  WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 247

section of land and to properly improve and till the same. In his case agriculture includes the growing and handling of stock. Much of his accretions have come from this source and when conducted with wisdom it produces the easiest money a farmer makes.

For three years Mr. Busley has given much of his time to the interests of the Lanyons and their successors. The leasing of territory for prospecting for gas and the renewal of leases in the territory of LaHarpe are matter which the company has entrusted to him and the fidelity with which he performs his duties is a matter of common recognition. He has a personal interest in the development of the gas fields of Allen county for his land is all within the territory and the "Busley well" is the farthest north, yet discovered.

Mr. Busley was married in 1868 to Sarah A. Green and their children are: Sarah Elizabeth, wife of William Higgins; Mary Jane, wife of Fred E. Daniels; and Annie G., John W., Emily, Thurza E., George H., Nellie, Harry and Albert J. Busley, all in the family home.

In matters of public policy Mr. Busley is a Republican. His first presidential vote was cast for the lamented Garfield and his voice and vote have gone to each Republican nominee since the campaign of 1880.

As a citizen Mr. Busley is honest, energetic and industrious. As a business man he possesses the utmost integrity and practices only the recognized principles of business. As a neighbor he is accommodating and helpful, encouraging the timid and lending substantial aid to the weak.


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