ISAAC BUNCH, an honored resident of Carlin Precinct, came to Calhoun County more than a century ago, and has since developed a good farm which he is cultivating with profit. He is a native of the South and was born in March 1832. His parents were William and Martha (Hart) Bunch and when he was an infant they removed to Greene County, Ind., where they remained ten or eleven years. The father died there in the meantime and the mother married again and subsequently our subject came with her and his stepfather to Shelby County, Ill. Mr. Bunch was reared to manhood in that part of the State on a farm and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He received his education in the early subscription schools of Shelby County and was not accorded the privileges enjoyed by the youth of to-day. He is, however an intelligent and well-read man and is quite well posted on general topics. At the age of seventeen or eighteen years he began to learn the chair-making trade and followed it at odd times for some twenty years. In the fall of 1864 he came with his family to Calhoun County and has been a continuous resident here ever since. He owns fifty-five acres of land finely located in Carlin Precinct and is managing it to the best advantage. It may be his pride that he is a self-made man and by his industry and perseverance has won his way to competence. He is a stanch Republican in his political views and supports his party whenever occasion offers.
Mr. Bunch had the fortune to secure a good wife in the person of Mary Bland, who has been to him a true companion and helpmate, and has greatly aided him in building up a comfortable home. Mrs. Bunch is a native of Indiana. She is the mother of nine children of whom the following survive: Julia A., Henry T., Adelaid, Susan, John, David and Eliza.
Henry T. Bunch, a son of Isaac Bunch, is one of the representative farmers and stock-raisers of Belleview Precinct where he has one of the best improved and best equipped farms on section 36 that can be found in this part of the county. He was born in Adair County, Mo., October 7, 1853, but he was reared in Illinois, coming with his parents to Calhoun County in 1864. He was bred to the life of a farmer and from his father gained a good practical knowledge of agriculture, by which he profited when he began farming operations on his own account. He gleaned his education in the public schools of this county, and as soon as he arrived at years of discretion adopted the calling to which he had been bred and has been very successful in its pursuit. His farm comprises two hundred and forty acres of land, which is under the best of tillage, is supplied with good buildings and everything necessary for carrying on farming and, in short, is considered one of the most desirable farms in northern Calhoun County. Mr. Bunch has always aimed to do what he could for the advancement of Belleview Precinct and Calhoun County, and is liberal in his contributions to various enterprises, looking to the promotion of its interests. He has served as School Director of his district and is genuinely interested in educational affairs. He is a thorough Republican in his political beliefs and never hesitates to support his party whenever occasion offers.
October 6, 1878, was the date of the marriage of our subject with Lena Lakins. Their home is cozy and attractive and their pleasant household circle is completed by their three children of whom the following is the record: Rosa was born August 7, 1879; Ruth, August 22, 1883, and Mary A. in January, 1889.
Extracted 16 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, published in 1891, pages 515-516
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