WI BIO - Dane Co - BUNKER, George
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol I, pp 236-237

George BUNKER, one of the oldest settlers of the Territory of WI, secretary 
of the Krenz Curtis Shoe Company, was born in the town of De Ruyter, Madison 
County, NY. His father, Gorham BUNKER, was it is thought born in Columbia 
County, NY. The grandfather of our subject was a sea captain, in the whaling 
business, and served many years. He and his wife were Quakers, and reared 
their children in the same faith. The father of our subject learned the 
trade of blacksmith and molder. In the spring of 1837 he came to the 
Territory of WI to search out a location. He claimed a tract of Government 
land, in what is now the town of East Troy [Walworth County], WI, and there 
erected a log building. Then he went to Chicago and followed his trade until 
the fall, at which time he went back to NY for his family, returning to 
Chicago that same fall, making the removal by the most convenient and 
expeditious way, which was via the canal to Buffalo, thence by lake to 
Toledo, OH, and by team to Chicago. The latter was then but a small place 
and here the family remained until the spring of 1838, and then started by 
team to their future home, following an Indian trail up Fox River.

The family moved into the log cabin that the father had built and this served 
as their first home in WI. It was from necessity that the father followed 
his trade of blacksmith, and people came form many miles away to get work 
done. In later years he devoted his entire time to his farm and resided 
there until his death. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was 
Rachel RUSSELL, born in NY of Quaker parents. She spent her last years in 
Walworth County, WI, on the old home place, where she reared seven children: 
Mary, George, Henry, Harriet, Jane, William, and Clarissa.

George BUNKER was 13 years old when he came West with his parents. At that 
time the Territory of WI was practically unsettled, save by the Indians, and 
the land was all owned by the Government. Deer and other kinds of wild 
animals were [p 237] plentiful and roved at will. Our subject attended the 
pioneer school, and the first of these was taught in the log schoolhouse. He 
assisted on the farm and resided with his parents until 21 years of age, when 
he went to Milwaukee and was engaged in a lumber yard for about one year. 
The following three years he was engaged in farming in Walworth County, 
except in the winter seasons, which he spent in the lumber regions of MI. 
Following that he went to Chicago and engaged in the wholesale lumber trade 
one year, then went to White Water [Whitewater, Walworth County], WI, where 
he engaged in the lumber business until 1863; then came to Madison, Dane 
County, WI, and conducted a business here for about 25 years, when he sold 
out and has since lived practically retired.

On 11 Oct 1849 George BUNKER was married to Miss Fannie HULBERT, a native of 
NY, and a daughter of Levi HULBERT. George and Fannie (HULBERT) BUNKER have 
three children: Charles H., Mary and Laura. Mr. BUNKER is a prominent 
Democrat of the county, and has served several terms as a member of the City 
Council from the 4th Ward.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly