Isidor Bush
Isidor Bush | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Prague |
| Died | August 5, 1898 (aged 76) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Publisher, viticulturist, banker |
| Known for | Publishing Jewish periodicals; viticulture; banking; involvement in Missouri Constitutional Convention |
Isidor Bush (also spelled Busch) (born January 15, 1822, in Prague – died August 5, 1898, in St. Louis, Missouri) was recognized as both a publisher and a specialist in viticulture.
His maternal lineage included , notable as the first Jewish individual to be ennobled within Austria.
"Jahrbücher"
At the age of fifteen, Bush began working at Anton von Schmid's printing firm in Vienna, which had been acquired by his father. The Talmud editions produced under the joint efforts of Von Schmid and Bush were distinguished for their precision. Between 1842 and 1847, he took on the role of editor and publisher for the Kalender und Jahrbuch für Israeliten (Vienna), which showcased contributions from prominent Jewish intellectuals representing a spectrum of perspectives, including S. L. Rapoport, S. D. Luzzatto, and Leopold Kompert. Several writers made their initial appearances in the "Jahrbücher." In 1844, he edited Mesillat ha-Limmud (Path of Instruction), released by his father's press following Bush's emigration. Identifying with liberal political ideals, he also managed the editorial responsibilities of the Osterreichisches Zentral-Organ für Glaubensfreiheit along with other revolutionary publications issued from his printing house.
Career in the USA
Following the unsuccessful Revolution of 1848, Bush escaped to New York City, arriving on January 8, 1849. There, he established a combined newspaper and stationery business and initiated Israel's Herald, recognized as the first Jewish weekly newspaper in the United States; however, its publication spanned only three months. The endeavor received support from leading figures within Order B'nai B'rith.
In mid-1849, Bush relocated to St. Louis to oversee operations at a general merchandise store for a period of six years. By 1857, he assumed the presidency of People's Savings Bank. He was elected as a delegate to Missouri’s Constitutional Convention on the Unconditional Union ticket and participated actively on the influential Committee of Nine.
During John C. Frémont’s command in St. Louis in 1861, Bush served as his aide-de-camp with the rank of captain. He proposed to Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase a government loan scheme inspired by Austrian Rothschild financing worth $100 million; impressed by Bush’s financial expertise, Chase offered him a position as a Treasury clerk. Upon returning to St. Louis, Bush spent six years as general freight and passenger agent for the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad Company.
Together with Daniel Block, Bush co-established Congregation B'ne El in St. Louis and contributed to founding the Independent Order B'nai B'rith’s western branch. He was instrumental in developing its endowment and insurance initiatives and played a significant role in creating the Cleveland Jewish Orphan Asylum, gaining proficiency as an insurance actuary.
Bush was involved in Missouri’s constitutional convention that abolished slavery and dedicated twelve years to serving on the state board of immigration aimed at addressing population declines after the Civil War.
Later in life, Bush invested in grape cultivation by acquiring property known as "Bushberg" near St. Louis, which earned acclaim for its vineyard production. He also shipped vine cuttings to France to aid efforts against phylloxera infestations.
After thorough study, he authored The Bushberg Catalogue, detailing grape varieties; this work has been translated into multiple languages.
Isidor Bush passed away in St. Louis in 1898 and was interred at Bellefontaine Cemetery.