Robert P. Bush (March 31, 1842 inBranchport,Yates County, New York - January 8, 1923 inElmira,Chemung County, New York) was an American physician, soldier and politician.
He was the son of Dr. Wynans Bush (1799–1889) and Julia Ann Loomis Bush (1805–1898). He was educated at academies inFranklin andCortland. He Graduated fromBellevue Medical College and the medical school ofBuffalo University. Afterwards he settled inHorseheads and practiced medicine there.
He enlisted as a private in the 12th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and fought theFirst Battle of Bull Run, theBattle of Yorktown, theSeven Days' Battles, theBattle of Fredericksburg, and theBattle of Antietam. Then he re-enlisted in the 185th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and became a captain, and later a major. He was captured during theBattle of Hatcher's Run by theConfederate Army, and subsequently exchanged.
On September 1, 1870, he married Laretta Ludlow (1847–1925).
He entered politics as aDemocrat, and was School Commissioner of Chemung County from 1875 to 1878, Excise Commissioner for the Town of Horseheads from 1878 to 1882, and Coroner of Chemung County in 1883.
He was a member of theNew York State Assembly (Chemung Co.) in1886,1887,1888,1889,1890,1891,1892,1894,1911,1912,1913,1916 and1917; and wasSpeaker in 1892, and Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means in 1913.
In 1920, he was President of the Board of Trustees of the Soldiers and Sailors' Home atBath, New York, and testified at a hearing beforeLt. Gov.Harry C. Walker, denying charges of mismanagement and cruelty.
He died on January 8, 1923, at the Amot Ogdon Hospital in Elmira, ofpneumonia; and was buried at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Horseheads.
| New York State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | New York State Assembly Chemung County 1886–1892 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | New York State Assembly Chemung County 1894 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | New York State Assembly Chemung County 1911–1917 | Succeeded by John J. Richford |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Speaker of the New York State Assembly 1892 | Succeeded by |