Caledonia

BUNKER, Charles Albert

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 50 
(portrait p 50)

Charles Albert BUNKER, of Peacham [Caledonia County, Vermont], was born 21 
July 1840 at Barnstead [Belknap County], New Hampshire, son of Alfred and 
Mary Emerson (HODGDON) BUNKER. He attended the public schools of Barnstead, 
and then was a pupil of the Pittsfield Academy for three years, afterwards 
pursuing his studies at Phillips and Pembroke Academies. He entered 
Dartmouth College in the fall of 1860, teaching during the winters throughout 
his college course in the home district in Barnstead [Belknap County] and 
Penacook [Merrimack County], New Hampshire, Waitsfield [Washington County], 
Vermont, and Barnstable [Barnstable County], Massachusetts. Soon after his 
graduation in 1864, he was made principal of McIndoes Falls Academy, Barnet 
[Caledonia County, Vermont], and two years after was called to Peacham as 
principal of Calendonia County grammar school, an institution which was 
chartered in 1795, opened in 1797, and is now styled the Peacham Academy.

While at Dartmouth Mr. BUNKER ranked high as a student, as he has since in 
his profession; was member of Psi Upsilon and Phi Beta Kappa societies; 
received from his alma mater degree of A. M, 1867; elected town 
superintendent of Peacham, 1869, and held the office sixteen years; strong 
advocate of the town system of schools; elected president, Vermont State 
Teachers' Association, 1883. Republican; held minor town offices; state 
senator from Caledonia County, 1886; chairman of committee on education; 
member of committee on federal relations. Re-elected 1888; again chairman of 
educational committee; also served on the special committee on temperance 
legislation; the next year was made a member of the Caledonia County Board of 
Education.

On 20 May 1869 Mr. [Charles Albert] BUNKER married Nellie, only daughter of 
Dr. Jeremiah and Adeline (CARROLL) BLAKE. Mr. BUNKER is a member of the 
Congregational church, and all his life has labored in the Sabbath school. 
He exerted great influence in the senate, availed himself of every 
opportunity to benefit the cause of education, and was specially interested 
in passing the law requiring scientific temperance instruction in the public 
schools. He has written much which has been printed in different periodicals 
and lectured upon various educational, social, and political topics.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly