The Somerset reporter., 1902-06-05
Samuel Bunker.
Union Advocate

Samuel Bunker died at the residence
of his daughter, Mrs. Abbie Weston, in
Berkeley, Cal, May Goth. His health
had been poor for some months, and last
fall he was persuaded to leave his busi-
ness here for visit with his wife to
their children in California. General
debility resulting from overwork and
advancing age and enfeebled arterial
circulation was the cause of his death.
Mr.. Bunker was born in Arson valley,
April IL, 1924, and was the only child of
Daniel and Mary Gould Bunker. His
mother died in his early childhood. His
father was married again and moved to
North Arson village when Samuel was
small child, and here the boy grew to
manhood. His father was an energetic
business man, and was interested in
politics. For several terms he was
sheriff of the county. Samuel inherited
the energy. decision and business ability
of his father. After attending the pub
lie schools and Arson Academy, he
formed a partnership in the tannery
business at the age of twenty, with the
late General Franklin Smith. A few
years later he bought the tannery inter-
ests of General Smith and engaged as
the business of the tannery and general
merchandise. After the dissolution of
this copartnership, Mr.. Bunker carried
on various kinds of business, in all of
which he was successful. For many
years he manufactured boots and shoes
and had a retail store for those goods.
He manufactured bricks and lumber ex-
tensively and was a heavy owner in
At. l. l. 81
consecutive years he was deputy sheriff,
and during the war he was an internal
revenue officer, but he never cared for
public Office, his extensive commercial
interests requiring his entire attention
The latter years of his life were given
almost exclusively to agriculture, aud he
was an extra good farmer and farm
manager. In all the various enterprises
in which he was interested he employed
a large number of men, probably more
than any other citizen of his town. In
1870, he finished the large brick block
that stood on the site of the present
structure. This was burned in 1876,
and there was no insurance. His
courage reared from the ashes another
building.
In 1852, Mr.. Bunker was married to
Miss Martha French, of Athens. On the
2Sth of last March, they celebrated the
fiftieth anniversary of their wedding in
California among their children and
friends. Six children were born to them
and have blessed them. Samuel, Jr.,
died in his youth. The five others sur
vive. Charles, Mrs. Nellie Cushman,
Mrs. Abbie Weston, and Miss Minnie
reside in California. Fred, the youngest
son, has been in business with his father
for the last ten years.
Mr.. Bunker's life was lived in this
town and all of it but the first four years
of his childhood was passed in this vii
lage. He was one of the strong men
who, in business and in politics, gave
his village influence and power in the
county, in the old days. The rugged
strength of his character, combined with
his wit and humor, made him leader.
His knowledge of human nature was
keen, and the shams aud pretences of
sly men were torn away and torn down
by one quaint remark of his. Inferior
men might trespass upon his dignity,
but they did not enjoy it; and while his
business led him among them, he was
not of them. Many in distress have
fled to him as to a fortress for help and
protection, and they have got it, but to
those who sought to cheat and abuse
him he was severe. His courage and
will were uncomfortable, and his energy
was limited only by physical weakness.
He was public spirited. and encour-
aged all enterprises for the good of the
village and the town. His temperament
was elastic and hopeful. His interest in
life and human affairs was as intense ip
old age, if he can be said to have had
any, as in the prime of his vigor. He
was alive while he lived. "To be good
for nothing is to be bad" was one sec
ton Of his creed. To his beloved wife
and children he was affectionately de
voted, and he was true to them always.
1t seems strange that it should 30 happen
that he should die so far away from
home as one ocean is from the other;
that he should live his life on one side
of his country and die on the other.
The fact is suggestive of his stormy life
near the turbulent Atlantic and of the
rest in peace his spirit found on the
shore of the peac full Pacific. S