Biographies - Elmira Township

Asa Abbott Bunton, deceased, born in Charlestown, Mass., June 14, 1834, came to this township in 1854, and here engaged in farming for a short time. Being a machinist by trade, he moved to Chicago and there took a position in the shops, subsequently worked in the shops at Rock Island, and in 1858 returned to this county, where he married Miss Mary L., daughter of Thomas and Mary Jane (Craig) Lyle. Her father was born in Scotland, in March, 1809, came to the United States in his youth, learned the stonecutter's trade in Vermont, and there married Miss Mary J., daughter of James and Margaret Craig — natives of Vermont — in February, 1837. They came to Osceola Grove that year, and were engaged in agriculture on the old home-stead until their removal to Kewanee, in 1877. Of their ten children, Helen L. is married, residing in Page county, Ia.; Mary L. married Mr. Bunton; Lucy C. married, residing at Kewanee, Ills.; Carlos E. married a resident of this township; James B. and an infant, deceased; Emily, unmarried, residing with her father at Kewanee; Horace E., married, residing on old homestead, and two younger children deceased. Thomas Lyle, while a supporter of all churches, is not a member of any religious society. In politics he is decidedly Republican.

Asa Abbott Bunton continued farming, after his marriage, until August 9, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One- Hundred-and-twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served honorably until August, 1865. Of his three children, George Bartlett, married, resides in this township; Mabel J. died June 7, 1886, and Fred. L. resides at home. In politics he was Republican, but not aggressive; in religion a member of the Congregational church of Kewanee, and in social matters a sound, honest citizen. He held the office of school director for years.