Benjamin B. Bunnell

Benjamin B. Bunnell, son of John Bunnell, was born in Pike county, Pa., 1811. His early life was spent with his parents, assisting in the duties of the farm, or attending school. On January 7, 1833, he married Miss S. A. Little, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Little. Her parents were natives of New Jersey, where she was born in 1811. The paternal grandparents of James A. and Robert E. were John Bunnell, born August 13, 1790, who died August 11, 1872 and Mary Place, born September 7,1793, who died November 3, 1851, Benjamin being one of a family of fourteen children, twelve of whom reached manhood and womanhood. After this marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bunnell began farming in Pennsylvania, which occupation they followed twenty years. In 1854, he sold his farm, and with his family removed to Illinois, purchased a section in Penn township, and there resided until 1864, when he went to Nashville, Tenn., to nurse his son John, who was lying in the hospital, and who never recovered. Returning, he sold his farm to his son Robert, and removed to Neponset, Ill., where he resided ten years; then returned to Penn township, making their home with their son. Here Mrs. Bunnell died August 16, 1876. Mr. Bunnell is still living, and, at present writing, although now in his seventy-sixth year, is quite active. The first record of the ancestors comes from London, Eng., coming to America about the year 1600. Mr. Bunnell is an uncle of Senator F. C. Bunnell, of Pennsylvania. He is the father of six children, four of whom are still living: James A., now of Penn township; Inis M., now Mrs. J. S. Moffit, of Nebraska; John H., who died of his wounds at Nashville; Robert E., of Penn township; Mary (deceased); and Amanda E., now Mrs. G. M. Wright, of this township.