John Buss (1811-1880) was born in Kent, England. The Buss family immigrated to the United States in 1825, and settled in Sherman, New York. After graduating from the Mayville Academy, he moved to Hudson, Ohio, in 1833 to take courses to become a minister. Because of poor health, John did not finish school, but instead became a clerk at the store run by Anson Brewster (1807-1864) and Zenas Kent (1786-1864). In 1839, John moved to Columbia, Missouri, to become a tutor, and then to Lake Providence, Louisiana, to teach school. He returned to Hudson in May 1841. Upon his return, he formed a partnership with Edgar Birge Ellsworth (1815-1883) in the dry goods & grocery business. John left the partnership in 1844, forming another partnership with T.M. Bond for a general store. John ran the store until 1867. The business survived into the 1930s with John Buss' son, Charles, continuing to operate the store. On January 1845, John Buss married Hudsonite, Eliza A Goodman Buss (1821-1889). Together they had five children: Willie Buss, Charles H Buss (1846-1911), Frederick B Buss (1846-1912), John G Buss (1849-1853), John Buss, Jr. (1855-1872) John was active in the Hudson community. He held the office of Corporation Treasurer for four terms, was a member of the Council, Trustee for many years and served as Justice of the Peace for twelve years preceding his death. John was the Mayor of Hudson 1847-1848 & 1858-1859. He also helped to organize the Hudson Fire Department in 1842, and he acted as their secretary. John Buss kept a faithful diary from 1833 until his death in 1880, detailing many events in the Hudson community.