Isidor Bush facts for kids

Isidor Bush (born January 15, 1822, in Prague – died August 5, 1898, in St. Louis, Missouri) was an important writer, publisher, and expert in growing grapes. His great-grandfather on his mother's side, Israel Hönig, was the first Jewish person to be given a noble title in Austria.

Early Life and Publishing Career

When Isidor Bush was 15 years old, he started working at a printing company in Vienna. His father had bought this company. A special edition of the Talmud (a Jewish text) that they published was known for being very accurate.

For six years, from 1842 to 1847, Bush edited and published a yearly book called Kalender und Jahrbuch für Israeliten (which means Calendar and Yearbook for Israelites). This book was special because it brought together writings from many different Jewish scholars. Some famous writers, like S. L. Rapoport and S. D. Luzzatto, shared their work in this yearbook. For some, it was their very first time being published!

In 1844, he also edited a book called Mesillat ha-Limmud (Way of Instruction). Isidor Bush was also interested in politics. He supported liberal ideas and published newspapers that promoted revolutionary ideas.

Moving to the United States

In 1848, there were many revolutions across Europe. When these revolutions failed, Isidor Bush had to leave his home. He arrived in New York City on January 8, 1849.

In New York, Bush opened a store that sold newspapers and stationery. On March 30, 1849, he started publishing Israel's Herald. This was the very first Jewish weekly newspaper in the United States! However, it only lasted for three months. Members of a Jewish organization called B'nai B'rith helped him create this newspaper.

In the summer of 1849, Bush moved to St. Louis, Missouri. There, he managed a general store for six years.

Public Service and the Civil War

In 1857, Isidor Bush became the president of the People's Savings Bank. When the state of Missouri needed to decide if it would join the states leaving the Union before the American Civil War, Bush was chosen to be a member of the Missouri Constitutional Convention of 1861–1863. He was part of the "Unconditional Union" group, meaning he strongly believed Missouri should stay with the United States. He was also on an important committee that handled major decisions.

When General John C. Frémont took command in St. Louis in 1861, Isidor Bush became his helper, known as an aide-de-camp, with the rank of captain. Bush even suggested a plan to the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Salmon P. Chase, for the government to borrow a lot of money. Chase was impressed by Bush's financial ideas.

After this, Bush returned to St. Louis. For six years, he worked as a general agent for the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad Company, handling freight and passenger services.

Community Involvement and Later Life

Isidor Bush was very active in his community. He helped start a Jewish congregation called B'ne El in St. Louis. He also helped establish the B'nai B'rith organization in the western United States. He was very involved with this group, especially with its insurance program, and helped create the Cleveland Jewish Orphan Asylum. His interest in this work even led him to become an expert in insurance calculations.

Bush was also chosen to be a member of another state convention. This convention was called to end slavery and create a new constitution for Missouri. After the Civil War, he was elected to the Missouri state board of immigration. This board worked to help the state's population grow again after the war. He held this position for twelve years.

Later in his life, Isidor Bush became very interested in viticulture, which is the science of growing grapes. He bought land outside St. Louis and named it "Bushberg." This land became famous for its grapes. He even sent many grape cuttings from his vineyards to France to help them replace their grapevines that had been destroyed by a tiny insect called phylloxera.

After many years of hard work, Bush published a detailed book about grapes called The Bushberg Catalogue. This book has been printed many times and translated into different languages.

Isidor Bush passed away in St. Louis in 1898 and was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery.