VOLUME XXII THE BUNKER FAMILY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Founded 1913 November 1991MONUMENT ERECTED IN BUNKERVILLE, NV MEMORIAL IS DEDICATED TO THE EARLY SETTLERS
The unveiling of a memorial commerating Edward Bunker, Sr. and other early pioneers who settled in what is now Bunkerville, took place on October 12, 1991. Descendants of Edward Bunker, Sr. gathered at the memorial after the service conducted by Elder Robert S. Wells, a great grandson of Edward Bunker, was held in the chapel at Bunkerville. Elder Wells also offered the dedicatory prayer after the unveiling. The services included reading of prepared script representing the seven families.
Edward Bunker, Sr. (D185) was born in Maine on August 1, 1822 and is a seventh generation Bunker from the Dover Branch. He left home at the age of 19 to work for himself. His travels took him to Kirkland Ohio, men to Illinois where he joined the Mormon Church in 1843. He married Emily Abbott in 1846 at Nauvoo, Illinois and then moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa and joined the “Mormon Battalion” for war in Mexico, He was a member of the first City Council in Ogden, Utah and married second time to Sarah Ann Lang in 1852 at Salt Lake City. He went to England as a missionary in 1852, returning in 1856. He married (3rd) in 1861 at Salt Lake City to Mary McQuarrie and was called to Santa Clara where he served as Bishop for 16 years. He then moved to Lincoln County, Nevada where he established the town of Bunkerville in 1877, and became its first Bishop. He died in 1901 at age 79, and is rembered as “a man of unlimited energy. It is said of him that he wore out but never rusted out”.The seven foot tall monument is of solid granite, quarried in Georgia, and set in place by the Nu-Art Memorial Co. of Salt Lake City. The memorial contains the names of the early settlers of BunkerŽville and a covered wagon fading into the distance.
The financing of the $4000.00 stone was by memŽbers of the Edward Bunker Sr. Family Association who donated the money. Most of the contribuŽtions consisted of $5.00, $10.00 and $25.00 donaŽtions, many from elderly decendants on limited incomes, who wept at the chance to pay tribute to their progenitor . A sealed container was placed under the monument containing the names of the contributors. (The Bunker Banner hopes to pubŽlish more about the dedication in the next issue).
BFA TO VISIT BUNKERVILLE The Bunker Family Association will visit Bunkerville during its 79th Annual Reunion in June, 1992. The one day excursion will include a senic bus tour of the area with the majestic mountains looming in the distance and the Virgin River flowing thriough the town. Certainly, we will want to pay homage to the early settlers by placing a wreath at the monument and offering a prayer to our departed cousins. This moving experience will be the highlight of our four day reunion taking place in Las Vegas from June llth to the 14th. Hope to see you there!
Dedication Prayer Transcript of the prayer given by ROBERT E. WELLS
Source: Brent Bunker