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Garrett Busch, born October 26, 1861, was the third child of Henry and Katrine Busch. It is believed that while in Germany, Garrett studied watch making and took a patent on a clock similar to the 300 day clock. He reportedly sold this patent and used the money to start his own jewelry business.He immigrated to the U.S., settled on the East Coast and where he became one of the pioneers of the retail jewelry trade in the metropolitan area by establishing Busch Jewelers in New Jersey. Garrett was the name he was generally known as among his midwestern family, though he quickly changed his name to George once in the U.S. To his immediate family and business associates, he was George J. Busch.
According to his brother, Hermann, who wrote in August, 1944, following Garrett's death, Garrett and Hermann were separated in 1868 when their home in Germany burned down. Hermann explained that Garrett was "taken away from home on account of room after the house burned down." Garrett was 7 and Hermann 9 at that time. Another brother was adopted by a family member, though Hermann only implies that Garrett may have been taken by one of their Wielage relatives. Hermann went on to say, "I had to take care of myself, just like your father .." as they each emigrated to the U.S.
None the less, prior to 1880 Garrett came to America with $2.00 in his pocket; but, by 1880 he was able to buy a half-store space at 48 Market Street for $500. Here began the original Busch store. Quick to adopt new ideas, he bacame a distributor for French battery-driven clocks, which antedated by many years the present day electric clocks operating from house current. He was known chiefly, however, as a diamond merchant. Several years before W.W. I American purchasing agents advised Garrett on a trip abroad to buy diamonds on an extensive scale because of an impending tariff. When the duties became effective a few months later the value of his stock increased automatically by at least 20 per cent.
In 1887 he moved his store to Springfield Avenue on High Street.West Side Trust Co. moved into this site after Garrett purchased the building across the street in 1900. This building, at 55 springfield Avenue, was the first above High Street in which electric lighting was installed.
At age 32, he married Gertrude J. Hertgen (born October
22, 1870) on July 6, 1894. Garrett and Gertrude sailed to Germany a month later
to visit his family. Six years later their first child, Gertrude, was born (March
28, 1901). She was followed by George J. (July 15, 1905) and Herbert H. (December
24, 1906). His business became Busch & Sons.
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"To suit all eyes . Personal attention given . To watch repairing . Every watch cleaned is warranted for 1 year." 1882 - "George J. Busch, the proprietor of a
shop for watches and jewelry, claimed to be Newark's oldest jeweler
when he was located in this store on High St and Apringfield Ave in
1882. Busch also guaranteed his watches for one year." from
"Images of America, Newark; Jean-Rae Turner and Richard T. Koles:
1997 Arcadia Publishing, Dover NJ" |
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In his early business career, Garrett purchased larage blocks of Newark real estate. He was a stockholder in the West Side Trust Co. and served as director from 1911 to 1939. In the late 1920s, he retired from active management of the business, turning his interests over to his son, George J. Busch, Jr. He was a member of the Germania Lodge and Salaam Temple and was a benefactor of Newark Museum.
After Gertrude died in 1943, Garrett suffered from ill health. He died at age 83 on June 20, 1944. Son Herbert, in a letter (Pg 1 . Pg 2) to his Uncle Hermann, said that his father had a peaceful passing, and had called Herbert to say good-bye. Many tributes came in to this man who was remembered as being very kind and thoughtful.
Main Page . Gertrude Mildred Busch (Sayre) . George J. Busch, Jr. . Herbert H. Busch
