William Owen Bush | |
|---|---|
 William Owen Bush | |
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives | |
| In office 1889–1895 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1832 Clay County, Missouri |
| Died | February 13, 1907 (aged 74) Olympia, Washington |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mandana Kimsey |
| Children | George, John Shotwell, Mandana Isabella |
| Parent(s) | George Washington Bush, Isabella James |
| Occupation | Farmer, politician |
William Owen Bush (July 4, 1832 – February 13, 1907) was an American farmer and politician who was elected to the Washington House of Representatives as part of the inaugural Washington State Legislature in 1889. He was the first African-American to serve in the Washington legislature.[1] He introduced legislation that established Washington State University and tirelessly promoted Washington agriculture.[1]
In its obituary, the Morning Olympian newspaper described Bush as "one of the oldest and most famous pioneers of the state of Washington" and declared that "probably no resident of the state or territory throughout its history has done more to advertise the state than W. O. Bush".[2]
- ^ a b Porter, Kenneth Williams (2005). "Bush, William Owen". Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. Oxford University Press. p. 685. ISBN 9780195170559.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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