JAMES W. BUNTEN,
an enterprising farmer, owning eighty acres of land in Harrison
township, Benton county, was born in Indiana, November 19, 1853, and
came to Benton county with his parents, in 1865. He is a son of Samuel
G. and Penelope (Burk) Bunten. Samuel Bunten was born in Kentucky,
February 4, 1817, and died September 2, 1894; his wife was born March
9, 1820, and died November 2, 1885.
He was reared in Kentucky, and removed to Indiana, where he carried on
a farm, and later settled in Benton county, Iowa. He went west in 1851,
entered three hundred and twenty acres of land and returned to Indiana,
and in 1865 removed with his family to the farm, on which he made all
improvements possible. They lived on the farm until his death. His wife
was also born in Kentucky, and before her marriage removed to
Greensburg, Indiana. They had children as follows: Henry Clay, who
enlisted in the Twenty-second Indiana Infantry, and died in the army;
Elizabeth, wife of J. G. Warriner, of Polk township, Benton county;
Mary Jane, wife of David Harper, of Kansas; Amazette, deceased wife of
David Tague; Sarah, widow of Giles Hunt, of Mount Auburn; Amanda, wife
of William Pemberton, of Vinton; James W.; Hugh Archie, deceased; John,
of Mount Auburn; and 0. P. M. Mr. Bunten was a Republican, held
township offices, and was a member of the Christian church.
James W. Bunten was twelve years of age when the family removed to
Benton county, and remained on the home farm until twenty-two years of
age. He then went to live on the farm he now occupies and though the
ground was broken, he has made most of the improvements now on the
place. He has good buildings, and everything is kept in good order. He
feeds a good many hogs and Short-horn cattle, and breeds Norman horses.
In politics Mr. Bunten is a Republican, and takes an active interest in
local affairs. He is an industrious and well-to-do farmer, and stands
well with his fellows. He is a member of the Christian church and of
the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Bunten has held several township
offices, which he has filled satisfactorily to all.
When he attained his majority Mr. Bunten married Eliza, daughter of
James H. and Hettie (Redington) Pemberton, of Benton county, who had
come from Indiana at an early date. James H. Pemberton died in service
in the Civil war. Mr. Bunten and his wife have three children, namely:
Edith, wife of D. A. Salee, of Harrison township; J. Harrison, living
at home; and Lula, also living at home.