in 1854, asahel bush married eugenia zieber of salem, with whom he would father four children sally, eugenia, estelle, and asahel iii who would be known as a. n. bush. eugenia was the daughter of one of his printer employees, and she would die at the age of 30 in 1863. bush served as a trustee of willamette university and as a regent to the university of oregon. asahel bush ii died on december 23, 1913 at the age of 89 in salem and was buried at salem pioneer cemetery. his estate is now preserved as bush's pasture park and his home, asahel bush house, is on the national register of historic places.