Asa Smith Bushnell

Background

Asa Smith Bushnell was reputed to be the descendant of Francis Bushnell of Surrey, who came to New Haven in 1639 as one of the original signers of the plantation covenant. He was born on September 16, 1834 at Rome, New York, where his father, Daniel Bushnell, taught school. His mother, Harriet (Smith) Bushnell, was a woman, according to the son, of "great energy, " whose "house was a model, " whose "life was a benediction, " and whose "presence was always an inspiration. "

Education

When the boy was eleven years old the family removed to Cincinnati; but six years later, after a limited attendance at school, Asa went to Springfield where for several years he struggled as clerk and bookkeeper.

Career

After the war Bushnell's fortunes rose rapidly. Becoming a partner in 1867 in a concern in which he had formerly been an employee, he promoted its incorporation as the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company, becoming its president in 1886. This corporation was engaged in the manufacture of harvesting machinery; but other banking and public service enterprises also enlisted Bushnell's attention, and he speedily acquired both wealth and reputation as a keen and progressive man of affairs.

Although in politics from 1885 to 1900, a political career seems always to have been a secondary matter with him. His first venture in this sphere was as Joseph B. Foraker's manager in his successful gubernatorial campaign of 1885. He served for four years as quartermaster-general under Governor Foraker, but resisted the importunities of his friends, in the years that followed, to become a candidate for elective office.

The Foraker forces gained control of the state convention in that year and signalized their victory by nominating Bushnell. He was elected by a plurality of 92, 622, the largest that had been received by an Ohio governor since John Brough's war-time defeat of Clement L. Vallandigham.

In 1896, Asa Smith Bushnell was nominated by Joseph B. Foraker and George Cox to run for governor. In 1897 the candidacy of Senator Marcus A. Hanna to succeed himself became the issue of the state legislative campaign, and Bushnell, reelected governor, was believed to have sought to frustrate Hanna's plan. Whether or not the ill-feeling engendered by this episode influenced Bushnell's career is a question; at any rate, he virtually abandoned politics when his term expired. Notwithstanding the Hanna incident, his administrations were less notable for political maneuvering than for efficient handling of the state's business, for which his experience fitted him well. The management of the finances was improved to such a degree that many thousands of dollars were saved; and the merit system in the civil service, which he advocated, was introduced so far as he could do it without legislation to support him.

His energy as governor is well illustrated by the fact that, in the Spanish-American War, the Ohio troops were mobilized and placed in the field before those of any other state.

On January 11, 1904, he was stricken with apoplexy while attending the inauguration of Governor Herrick, and died in a Columbus hospital four days later. He was buried in the Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield on January 18, 1904.

Achievements

• Elected as Ohio's 40th Governor, Asa Smith Bushnell served from 1896 to 1900. During his service a number of laws were passed in order to improve working conditions for women and to limit child labor in factories and mines. Reelected in 1898, he quickly mobilized Ohio troops when a call for volunteers at the start of the Spanish-American War was issued.

Works

More photos

• book

  • United States Olympic Committee Quadrennial Review Period of 1961-1965

    (Hardcover Publisher: United States Olympic Committee (196...)

  • Report of the United States Olympic Committee, Games of the XIVth Olympiad, London, England, 1948
  • Report of the UNITEDSTATES Olympic Committee 1948 Games XIV Olympiad London, England V Olympic Winter Games St. Moritz Switzerland
  • Report of the United Stated Olympic Committee 1948 Games XIV Olympiad London, England V Olympic Winter Games St. Moritz
  • United States 1952 Olympic Book, Quadrennial Report of the United States Olympic committee, games of the XVth Olympiad, Helsinki, Finland, July 19 to August 3, 1952, VIth Olympic Winter games, Oslo, norway, February 14 to 25, 1952, 1st Pan American Games
  • United States 1956 Olympic Book: Quadrennial Report, United States Olympic Committee
  • REPORT OF THE UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE. Games of the XIVth Olympiad, London, England, July 29 to August 14, 1948, Vth Olympic Winter Games, St. Moritz, Switzerland, January 30 to February 8, 1948.

Politics

Asa Bushnell supported the Republican Party and became a Presidential Elector for Ohio in 1884. He was appointed as Chairman of the Republican State Executive Committee in 1885.

Connections

In 1857 Asa Smith Bushnell married Ellen Ludlow, and the outbreak of the Civil War found him engaged in the drug business in partnership with his father-in-law.

Father:

Daniel Bushnell

Mother:

Harriet (Smith) Bushnell

Wife:

Ellen Ludlow

Daughter:

Harriet Bushnell Dimond

1860–1947

Daughter:

Fanny Bushnell McGrew

1858–1932

ancestor:

Francis Bushnell

References

• Ohio statesmen and annals of progress, from the year 1788 to the year 1900 . . Vol: '1-2 1899 Hardcover