JOHN BUSHER, of the firm of John Busher & Co., manufacturers of harness and saddles, and tents, and leather, 622 Adams street, was born in Portsmouth, England, June 1, 1811. He was educated in a classical and commercial academy in Portsmouth, and in a government college in Normandy, where he took a three years' course. After serving an apprenticeship to the trade of finishing leather, in London, he immigrated to the United States, arriving in October, 1833; worked a short time at his trade in Brooklyn, and the winter following in Zanesville, Ohio. He spent about seven years traveling and dealing in hides and leather. In the winter of 1837-8, he exported, via New Orleans, to Liverpool, the first shipment of western hides ever sent to that city. In 1839, he came to Springfield, Illinois, and purchased the lot on which their store now stands. In 1841, he shipped from Springfield, to London, England, the first lot of furs ever sent to Europe from Illinois, direct. In 1840, he erected a building on the site of his present shop and store, and about 1858 built the three-story brick he now occupies. In 1842, he built a tannery in the city, and the same year, in company with his brother, erected the old Busher brewery, and run it some years. He has occupied his present location forty years. The firm, consisting of himself and son, does a fine business in manufacturing, employing eight to ten men, and besides the harness and saddle trade, does a large business in tents and awnings, the whole aggregating $25,000 to 30,000 a year. Mr. Busher has been twice married; first to Emma Everson, in 1842, in Morgan county, Illinois, a native of England, who died seven years after, leaving four children, of whom three survive, all married and settled. In January, 1852, he married his present wife, Emily B. Wyatt, by whom he has two sons and one daughter. Mr. Busher has crossed the Atlantic Ocean eleven times; was present at the coronation of Queen Victoria; attended the World's Fair in London and the Paris Exposition. Politically, he has always been a Democrat.