Among the men of influence in Marion county, who have the interest of their locality at heart and who have led consistent lives, thereby gaining definite success along their chosen lines, is the subject of this sketch, being regarded as one of the leading farmers of Raccoon township, where he has a valuable and highly productive landed estate, which he manages with that care and discretion that stamps him as a twentieth century agriculturist of the highest order.
Charles E. Bundy was born in Marion county, Illinois, on his father's old homestead in the above named township, February 3, 1862, the son of George Bundy, who was born December 25, 1837, and who married Elizabeth Hiltibidal. He was born in Raccoon township and his wife in Centralia township, the former on August 9, 1838, the son of John, known as Jack, Bundy. The subject's father grew up and married in Raccoon township and lived there all his life. He was one of the prominent farmers and stockmen. He was a Republican, was Justice of the Peace and served in many minor township offices. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. He died July 1, 1904, and she died January 30, 1900. He was not only popular but highly esteemed. The subject of this sketch was their only child.
George Bundy was one of the patriotic citizens of the Prairie state who responded to the call for volunteers to save the nation's integrity during the sixties, having enlisted in the Union army, August 12, 1862, and served faithfully in Company H, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he was mustered out June 19, 1865. He was a flag bearer. He met with an accident while on duty in the service. While carrying the flag, he caught his foot on a grape vine, fell and was very badly injured. After the war our subject returned to Raccoon township and being a hard worker he secured two hundred and thirty-nine acres in this township. He had only a common school education in the home schools. He has always lived on a part of the old homestead.
Our subject, Charles E. Bundy, was united in marriage October 29, 1885, to Effie Jane Prather, who was born in Raccoon township, the daughter of Joseph Prather, a native of Indiana. He was one of the old and favorably known residents of Raccoon township. Eleven children have been born to our subject and wife as follows: Sarah Gladys, Earl, Iva May, George Ashton, Carroll Ashton, Thomas Oren, John Guy; Lola Elizabeth; Ula Violet; Paul Sherman, and Charles Deward.
Our subject has always been a man of industry and has made many valuable and lasting improvements on his place. He remodeled his fine home in 1908, making it a very attractive, substantial and comfortable one. He has a most excellent and valuable orchard of forty acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising with that rare foresight that insures success.
While Mr. Bundy is a loyal Republican, and anxious to see his county develop along all lines, he has never aspired for public office. He is a member of the Farmers' Union. He is known to be a man of thoroughly honest principles, public-spirited and agreeable to all his neighbors and many friends.
Extracted 06 Jun 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 291-292.