Martin Charles Bussinger, one of the best known retired farmers of Reno county, now living in Hutchinson, former trustee of Center township, an honored veteran of the Civil War and one of the real pioneers of this county, he having been a resident here since the year 1873, is a native of Ohio, having been born in the village of Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas county, that state June 2, 1843, son of Anselm and Sarah Keiser Bussinger, the former a native of the republic of Switzerland and the latter of Pennsylvania, born in the city of Philadelphia.

In 1859 his family moved from Ohio to Indiana, locating on a farm in Terre Haute, and he was living there when the Civil War broke out. Mr. Bussinger following the example of thousands of other patriotic young men offered his services as a soldier. He enlisted in Company K, 85th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Mustered out June 12, 1865, at the close of the war.

In 1873, he settled on his homestead in Center township. He developed that homestead farm and became a large landowner and one of the most influential residents of the county. For years he served as trustee of Center township. He was a Republican, giving his earnest attention to local political affairs. In 1901 Mr. Bussinger sold his farm and moved to Hutchinson where he started his children in business and has since then lived retired. December 2, 1867, in Coles county, Illinois he united in marriage to Sarah C. Johnston, who also was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, November 2, 1842, daughter of Christopher and Grace L. (Kennedy) Johnston, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Ohio and to this union ten children were born.

Mr. and Mrs. Bussinger are earnest members of the Methodist church. Mr. Bussinger was a member of the original building committee of the church and was superintendent of construction when the first church was built also as an officer of the church taking an active part in the work of refurnishing and decorating the edifice in February 1908. He is now a member of the board of trustees of the First Methodist church and continues to maintain his warm interest in the affairs of the same.

Obituary provided by FAG'er TAYLOR (#47701928)