JOSEPH W. RUSH, one of the quiet, modest, and yet independent farmers of Kent Township, is the subject of this sketch. He owns a model little farm on section 35, and is the son of Joseph and Judith (Flowers) Rush. His father was born in Virginia, and his mother in Pennsylvania. They first began life in Mifflin County, Pa., thence moved to Union County, Pa., and in 1843 came West and settled in Loran Township, Stephenson County, where they lived until their death. Joseph died on the 15th of June, 1860, and his wife departed this life three months later. They had ten children, five boys and five girls.

Joseph W. Rush, our subject, was the sixth child of his parents, and was born in Union County, Pa., March 16, 1836, and was five years old when his parents became residents of Stephenson County. What education he received was obtained in the common schools of that day. He remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age, when he went out to work for himself on farms in different places. He continued working in that manner until he was twenty-six years old, when he settled in Loran Township. He remained in this township until 1869, and then removed to Kent Township, where he has since resided. He has followed farming without variation during his life. He is the owner of eighty acres of excellent land which he has highly improved, and which produces under his systematic manner of farming more than many farms of larger area, less prudently cultivated.

Mr. Rush was married in Loran Township on the 8th of January, 1865, to Elizabeth Tipton, daughter of Noah and Elizabeth (Wagerman) Tipton. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and migrated to the West in 1863, settling in Stephenson County. Mr. Tipton died in Loran Township in 1870. Mrs. Rush was born in Bedford County, Pa., April 9, 1843. The children born to them are: Charles H.; Joseph, deceased; Emma, James F., Anna, Edith, Martha; Willie, deceased; Maud and John R.

Mr. and Mrs. Rush are of religious inclinations, and are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. R. has been Tax Collector of Kent Township, and discharged the duties of that office to the eminent satisfaction of the taxpayers. He is an intelligent man, and by reading the current publications of the days, keeps well informed of the events of the times. In his political affiliations, our subject is a Republican. No family is more highly esteemed than that of Mr. Rush. Hospitable in the great degree, charitable and generous without stint, they are greatly respected by their friends and acquaintances.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 570