Charles H. Bunker has been identified with a number of business interests in Manchester and is now serving as auditor of Delaware county. He was born on the 10th of December, 1874, in Warrensburg, Illinois, a son of Dearborn Bunker, who was born at Rye, New Hampshire, on the 9th of August, 1832. He was a contractor and builder in early life and at the time of the Civil war was employed by the Federal war department as carpenter in the building of a number of forts. He later turned his attention to farming, settling near Decatur, Illinois, but his declining years were spent in retirement from active business at that place. He passed away a number of years ago. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Caroline Law, was born in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1842 and has also passed away. To their union were born seven children, those beside the subject of this review being: Rose, the wife of Walter H. Towne, residing near Denver, Colorado; Fronia, living in Decatur, Illinois; Frank, who passed away in Decatur, leaving a wife and five children; Susie, deceased; George, living in Decatur, and Oscar, also a resident of Decatur.
     Charles H. Bunker was educated in the common schools of Macon county and in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he attended the university of the same name. He was graduated from that institution in 1893 and then became manager for a grain elevator at Broadlands, Illinois, for two years, after which he was for the same length of time connected with a commission firm which was a member of the board of trade of Chicago. He subsequently came to Delaware county, arriving here in 1898, and for a few years farmed and then was engaged in the feed and coal business in Manchester for two years, after which he returned to the farm for two years. He then came to Manchester and traveled on the road as a salesman for a year, after which he served as cashier of the Manchester & Oneida Railroad Company for a short time. He was for two years deputy county clerk and at the end of that time, or in 1912, was elected county auditor. He has served for almost two years in that office and is his party's nominee for a second term. He is a thoroughly capable and scrupulously conscientious official, and the affairs of the office have never been better managed than under his administration.
     Mr. Bunker was married February 18, 1902, to Miss Bessie Hutson, who was born in Delaware county, a daughter of M. D. and Addie (Rowley) Hutson, who reside upon a farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Bunker has been born a son, Donald. The father is a republican in his political belief and is loyal in his support of the men and measures of that party. Since 1910 he has been secretary of the Republican County Central Committee, and he has always been active in the affairs and councils of his party, gaining a position of leadership in local political circles. He attends the Congregational church and contributes to the support of its work. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. His salient characteristics of energy, industry and public spirit have won for him the esteem and good-will of the community.