McDonough ILGenWeb

John Allen Bussert, who follows the trade of a carpenter in Macomb, Ill., and is also known as an expert player on musical instruments, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, February 5, 1836, and there attended the public schools. His father, William Bussert, was born in Pennsylvania and his mother, Catherine (Helms) Bussert, was a native of Maryland. Andrew Bussert, his paternal grandfather was a native of Germany. John A. Bussert is the youngest of a family of thirteen children, of whom he and one brother are the only survivors. He remained at home until his marriage, and, in September, 1861, enlisted as musician in the Sixty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was, a year later, consolidated with the Fifty-eighth Ohio, all the musicians being mustered out. He then enlisted a a private in the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteers, in which he served two months, when he was taken out of the ranks and put into the Third Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. Here he served one year as a musician, when he was mustered out and returned home. Shortly afterward he enlisted as a private in the Eighty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was assigned to service as a musician at the post in Camp Chase, Ohio, where he remained until the end of the war. In 1864 he served as Deputy Provost Marshal and was engaged in arresting deserters, whom he delivered to the Provost Marshal. After the war Mr. Bussert returned home and worked at farming. He went to Missouri in 1865, and farmed there until 1873. Then he moved to Macomb, where he followed teaming for five years, when he resumed work as a carpenter, and has followed this trade ever since. He is a fine musician, being especially proficient with the horn, on which he plays first baritone. During his residence in Ohio he gave lessons in all the musical institutions of the state.

Mr. Bussert was married in 1859 to Maria Robey, who was born and educated at Teriton, Ohio. He and his wife have three children: Burt, who resides in Macomb, Ill.; Carrie (Mrs. Walter E. Quimby), who lives in Maine, and William, a resident of Macomb.

In politics, Mr. Bussert is an earnest Republican, and fraternally is an active member of the G. A. R. He is highly regarded in the community and his presence is familiar to almost everyone.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907. Submitted by Joanne Scobee Morgan <morgans4@swbell.net>