James A. Bunnell

James A. Bunnell, son of Benjamin and S. A. (Little) Bunnell, was born in Pennsylvania in 1811. He passed his youth at the home of his parents. In his fifteenth year he entered Wyoming Seminary, studying there about three years, when he returned to his home and began teaching in the public schools. This profession he followed several years. In his twenty-sixth year he married Miss N. Irene Chamberlin, a daughter of John F. and Susan (Terry) Chamberlin, who was born in Bradford county, Pa., in 1838, where she was married September 25, 1860. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where her mother still resides, her father having died in 1881 in his sixty-sixth year. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bunnell returned to Illinois and settled on an unimproved quarter on section 17, Penn township, on which he had previously built a house which, on account of its height, was the wonder of the country, people coming from far and near to see the building, and all prophesied that it would surely blow away. It still remains and is today one of the finest farm residences in Stark county. Four children have blessed their union, three of whom are living: Ida M., Susie E., Jennie A., and Rena C. (deceased). Mrs. Bunnell is a member of the M. E. church and is interested in all works of benevolence. Mr. Bunnell has never voted any but the Republican ticket, and has held several of the township offices. He has been a hard worker, and as the result of labor, now owns 500 acres of the choicest lands in. Penn township, about one and one-fourth mile from Castleton. In connection with his large farm is his stock-growing establishment, which like the farm, is fully equipped and well managed.