Henry Silas BUNKER

  General Notes:

Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Cardington, Morrow, Ohio; Roll: M432_716; Page: 388; Image: 80
Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Cardington, Morrow, Ohio; Roll: M653_1017; Page: 98; Image: 197.
Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Toledo, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: T9_1043; Family History Film: 1255043; Page: 141.4000; Enumeration District: 34; Image: 0178.

MEMORIAL TO H. S. BUNKER.

On April 16, 1900, the following memorial, relative to the death of Col. H. S. Bunker, was read and unanimously adopted:

"Death has again prevailed and the bar of Toledo has to mourn the loss of another well-favored and highly-honored member.

''Henry S. Bunker was born at Cardington, Morrow county, Ohio, Aug. 21, 1842, and died March 21, 1900, aged fifty-seven years and seven months.

"Colonel Bunker came to Toledo, in 1867, and was for some time with the firm of Shaw & Baldwin, afterward conducting a drygoods business in his own name until 1878. when, on Aug. 14, he was admitted to the bar by the District Court in session at Bowling Green. Ohio, and the next day he commenced the practice of law at Toledo, Ohio, being associated with William H. Harris, of the Lucas County Bar, under the firm name of Bunker & Harris. Shortly afterward this firm was dissolved, and down to the time of his death he continued the practice of law by himself.

"Always generous, genial and courteous, he endeared himself to his associates at the bar, and their loss is most keenly felt.

"When only twenty years of age. Colonel Bunker enlisted in the Ninety-sixth Ohio infantry, and served during the entire war with distinction.

"He participated in the Yazoo river expedition, the attack upon Vicksburg, Miss., the capture of Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, and the surrender of that city. He took part in the battles of Grand Coteau, La., the Red river expedition under General Banks, the battle of Pleasant Hill. Monetis Bluffs, and the siege and capture of Forts Gaines and Morgan, Ala. He also took part in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort, Ala., Fort Blakely, Ala., and Mobile, and also the battle of Whistler's Station.

"He was wounded at Vicksburg and again at Jackson, Miss., and was honorably discharged from the service, July 29, 1865. After serving through four years of weary campaigning, enduring privation and long and weary marches, in both victory and defeat, his whole being seemed to become saturated with a love for the military profession and his whole life was influenced by the experience of these earlv davs. There he learned his devotion to his comrades and his love of his nation's glory. From the clay of his first enlistment until he was found calmly asleep in his office chair, he was a soldier.

"A close student of all military matters, his thoughts were always with his country's troops. Probably to no one man is more credit due than to Colonel Bunker for the present and past efficiency of our citizen soldiery, the Ohio National Guard, of which organization he became a member when, on May i. 1878, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Sixteenth Regiment, Ohio National Guard.

"His earnestness and thorough ability soon won for him promotion, and on May 10, of the same year, he was made first lieutenant and adjutant. On May 19, 1881, he was commissioned a major, which position he held until July 5, 1887, when he was made lieutenant- colonel, and later, on June 25, 1892, he was commissioned colonel of his regiment. The Sixteenth was proud of her colonel and the colonel was proud of his regiment, and this mutual respect and admiration existing between officer and men led to the splendid efficiency of the command, so that at times, when the peace and dignity of our State seemed about to be overthrown, there were usually seen Colonel Bunker and his regiment.

"He was sent by the governor of Ohio to Bowling Green, in October, 1883, in command of Company C, Sixteenth regiment, and the Toledo Cadets, to preserve order at the execution of Boch, a condemned murderer.

"He was with his regiment at Cincinnati, Ohio, from March 20 to April 4, 1884, and was by order of the governor sent to Paulding county, Ohio, April 26, 1887, in command of companies A, C and H, Sixteenth regiment, and a section of Battery D. First regiment, Ohio light artillery, to restore order at the reservoir and to protect -State property, remaining until May 5, 1887, when his command was relieved and sent home.

"He was in command of his regiment at Wheeling Creek and Sherodsville, in June, 1894. aiding the civil authorities to protect property during the labor troubles, and in October. 1895, was ordered with a portion of his regiment to Tiffin for the purpose of preserving the peace.

"It was during the troublesome times at Wheeling Creek, in 1894, that Governor\emdash now President\emdash McKinlcy remarked that he would be the most uneasy and distressed man in the world but for the fact that he knew that Colonel Bunker was in command of the forces at Wheeling Creek, and that he was a man of sound judgment and discretion; that Colonel Bunker had his fullest confidence, and that he relied perfectly on his good sense and judgment.

"The colonel's interest in the sixteenth Ohio regiment did not cease when he gave up its colonelcy. When the regiment went to the Spanish war. Colonel Bunker was the mainstay of the loved ones left behind. His time, his efforts and his means were poured out without stint in their behalf. This same spirit of unreserved generosity has always characterized the man.

"His comrades found him a devoted friend. They never appealed to him in vain, and he was ever ready with friendly counsel, and aided all in distress to the full extent of his means.

"The colonel was twice married, having one daughter by his first wife.

"A son was born to him by his second wife and, with the widow, these remain to mourn his loss. To these loved ones the community at large extends its heartfelt sympathy, sharing with them their grief at the loss of this public-spirited, high-minded man, whose presence always graced public gatherings, and who, for many years, devoted his time, his services and placed his life at the disposal of his State, without hope of reward other than the sense of a duty well done.

"With so many calls upon him he still found time to successfully follow his profession. No man stood higher in the estimation of the bar and of the community.

"He possessed coolness and courage to a marked degree. Faithful to all his military trusts and duties, courteous and kindly in his intercourse, professionally and socially, he leaves a memory that will always linger with those who knew him. Of manly and frank bearing, generous in his impulses, honest in his convictions and courteous in their expression, his character has left an impress upon the minds of all with whom he came in contact.

"His death, so sudden and untimely, and in the midst of a life so full of usefulness, is a crushing blow to his family, his intimate friends, the members of the bar, and the public generally. It is pitiful and strange that this brave, splendid, knightly, high-souled man should be swept away by the cruel hand of fate. To have gone thus, when life was fullest of its blessings, seems sad indeed, and we turn again from the impenetrable veil of the hereafter with the mystery of death unsolved, with the question which humanity in all ages has sought to know, unanswered.

"And thus we must leave him 'In that low green tent, whose curtain never outward swings.' "

Signed by John F. Kumler, Clayton W. Everett, Isaac P. Pugsley, Clarence Brown, and Henry DeH. Walte, committee