Bushnell, Doud, Lincoln, Starksboro p. o., emigrated from Saybrook, Conn., to Wattsfield Washington county, Vt., where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred about 1845. His wife was Lucy Joyce, whom he married in Saybrook, Conn. He was a shoemaker by trade, but in later life he engaged in farming. He had his farm in the eastern part of the town. He had a family of eleven children, three daughters and eight sons. Of this family Ira was born on April 2, 1799. He married Lurinda Ferguson, a daughter of Elisha Ferguson, who was one of the pioneers of Starksboro, Vt. She was born on March 6, 1806, and was married on December 4, 1823. Ira was a blacksmith by trade, and resided in Starksboro, Vt., for many years. He first settled there in 1814. His shop and residence are now owned and occupied by his youngest son, Sidney Bushnell. He was a successful business man, and accumulated property and a comfortable estate. He was an esteemed citizen and townsman and was honored with almost every office of trust in the gift of the town. He died on August 5, 1873, at the age of seventy-three years. He had a family of six children. Of these children Sidney was the second youngest. He now owns and occupies the old homestead, which consists of two hundred acres. He represented his town in 1876, was justice of the peace for about eight years, selectman for four years, town treasurer for ten years, trustee U. S. school fund for fifteen years, and also held other minor offices.
