Thursday, October 1, 2026
George Bush was one of the earliest American settlers in the Pacific Northwest and recognized as Washington Territory's first Black pioneer.
He was born in 1779 and was of African and Irish ancestry. George served his country as a soldier and fought in the War of 1812. He later worked as a trapper and became a highly successful farmer and rancher in Missouri. Missouri was a slave state, as a free Black man in a rare interracial marriage, he faced increasing racism and discrimination.
In 1844, George made the decision to leave the state in search of freedom. He packed up his wife Isabelle and five children, like thousands of people before him, headed out on the Oregon Trail to the Pacific Northwest, a one year journey of 2,000 miles.
George financed much of the expedition and served as one of its leaders, along with his close friend Michael T. Simmons, a white man. When they reached Oregon Country, they discovered exclusion laws, “Lash Laws,” passed to exclude Black Americans from settling in the territory.
Rather than remain where George would face legal discrimination, the entire wagon train and group crossed the Columbia River. Driven out of Oregon Country, they finally settled at Newmarket (present day Tumwater) in 1845.
The Bush family were known for their kindness, generosity and selfless service to the community. During the famine of 1852, they shared food from their farm with struggling settlers, which helped many survive.
Settlers often arrived in the area with very little provisions. George and Isabella greeted, welcomed, fed and sometimes housed them. Most important, they got along well with our local Native tribes, the original inhabitants.
Today, a monument at the Washington State Capitol Campus, honors not only George Bush but also Isabella and the entire Bush family for their contributions to the state of Washington.
As a Black man, Bush could not own land under existing state laws, so the community came together to ask for an exemption for him to own “The Bush Prairie Farm” where Olympia Regional Airport is now located.
The Washington Territorial Legislature petitioned Congress on his behalf, leading to a special exemption in 1855, granting George and Isabella Bush legal title to their homestead — an early victory for racial justice and collective advocacy in our region.
Their legacy extends well beyond their own lifetimes. George Bush died in the early 1860s, but his family continued to have an impact.
His son, William Owen Bush, who was born in Missouri in 1832, was around 12 years old when he traveled west with his parents. William became an outstanding farmer, who developed new strains of wheat and wheat growing in the region.
In fact, his wheat won awards at world fairs and expositions all over the country. William went on to run for office and became Washington state’s first Black legislator (1889–90). He also introduced a bill to create Washington State University, ensuring education and agriculture would thrive for future generations.
George Bush, Isabella James Bush and Michael T. Simmons are remembered not only as founders of Tumwater, but also as pioneers whose generosity, perseverance and leadership helped shape the future of Washington state.
Their story is one of welcoming, acceptance, friendship and belonging. The Bush-Simmons party made that long arduous journey to the Pacific Northwest as one team, one unit, and together they created community where people supported one another.
A future column will focus on Isabella James Bush, often overshadowed by her husband’s story.
To learn more about George and Isabella Bush farm, burial site and their state monument click here and here.
Information for this column was sourced from here.
My next article will discuss what the NAACP Thurston County’s purpose and role in our community.
Angela Jefferson is a Tumwater Council member and member of the NAACP of Thurston County, with a passion for social justice, civic engagement, education, and local history.
7 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
ViaLocal
love this column!
Monday, July 20 Report this
gypsydjango
So many thanks for sharing this history of such a special family, whom I'm afraid, I had not heard of before, but I'm new to the area. Really appreciate your column Ms Jefferson, look forward to more.
Tuesday, July 21 Report this
DebeKE
Thank you so much for sharing this history. You highlight an attribute we could all cultivate better - welcoming, befriending and supporting our neighbors. I look forward to reading more from you!
Tuesday, July 21 Report this
Surrender
Thanks for keeping this story alive! The last 5 remaining acres of George and Isabella’s farm has been preserved in a conservation easement as farmland forever. It is currently up for sale.
Tuesday, July 21 Report this
Snevets
Thank you again Ms Jefferson for sharing this incredible story of perseverance, kindness & love for community. I look forward to looking up the monument, etc. & reading more.
Agreed @DebeKE.
Tuesday, July 21 Report this
treedolympia
Thank you for sharing this important history with the community. This column adds so much to this newspaper. I have always enjoyed reading the JOLT, the informstion you are sharing adds something special.
Wednesday, July 29 Report this
AJefferson
@ViaLocal, @gypsydjango, @DebeKE, @treeolympia, @Snevets, Thank you for your comments. I am happy to see that the NAACP of Thurston County is adding value to our beloved Jolt newspaper. This motivates us to continue writing and keep these stories/ "Our shared history" coming.
Tuesday, August 4 Report this