John and Ella Busch

John Theodore Busch and Ella Busch

John Theodore Bush was born in Missouri in 1846 to Charles and Wilhelmina Busch. He married Ella Burt Busch on September 18, 1878. Ella was born in McKees Port, Pennsylvania, in 1858 to Robert and Elizabeth Burt.

John and Ella came to Potter Valley in 1905 from Alma, Wisconsin. John had many adventures during his travels to California and made numerous trips back and forth over the years. They settled on property in the northwestern hills and established Busch Springs Mineral Resort.

John’s brother, John George Busch, was born 20 years earlier. Although unusual, the brothers shared the same first name. John T. frequently visited his brother, John G., and together they hunted in the Hearst area, traveled as far as Sanhedrin, and visited John Lierly. During one of these visits, John T. discovered the springs and remarked that it was the best water he had ever tasted.

After returning east, he visited and sampled mineral springs from Wisconsin to New York. Convinced that Busch Springs was superior, he asked his brother to have the property surveyed and, once that was completed, to purchase it on his behalf.

John T. and Ella had three children: a son, Elmer George, born in 1879; a daughter, Helen, born in 1881; and a daughter, Elizabeth, born in 1886. Elmer married Alma Rose Bony, and both later passed away in Ukiah. Helen married John E. March, and they are interred in the plot west of this one in the cemetery. Elizabeth married Dr. Oscar Polin, and they are interred in San Luis Cemetery.

John and Ella were among Potter Valley’s early settlers. John was a builder whose efforts helped transform the wilderness into a thriving and beautiful community. Busch Springs became an outstanding showplace, and the family made their home there for 27 years. In 1934, they lost their home to a fire, with Mrs. Cornell helping John to safety.

John and Ella’s grandson, Burt, the oldest of Elmer’s three children, graduated from high school in Ukiah, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University, and received his law degree in 1929. In September of that year, Burt married Leonora Haig. They had three children: Bruce, Gail, and Joyce.

Burt and Leonora (known as “Barbs”) settled in Lakeport. In 1931, Burt was elected Lake County District Attorney. In 1946, he was elected to the California State Senate, representing Lake and Mendocino Counties, and served two terms. He chose not to run for reelection in 1954. His younger brother, James E. Busch, then serving as Mendocino County District Attorney, ran for and won the seat, succeeding Burt in the State Senate.

John Theodore Bush passed away on April 5, 1935, at the age of 88 while living with the Cornell’s in Calpella. Ella passed away on December 6, 1916, after being ill for only six days.

John and Ella’s children and grandchildren served the people of Mendocino and Lake Counties for many years. John and Ella are buried next to his brother’s plot to the east, along with many other family members.