MRS. JESSE BUNKER

After an illness of 3 years, Mrs. Jesse Bunker died at her home in Blaine, Friday morning, 5 Sep 1902. Virginia Ann RIGGS was the youngest of a family of four children, born to Wm. Roby Riggs and Lavinia Burris Riggs, and was born 29 Oct 1838, in Meigs County, Ohio. At an early age her parents removed to Missouri, and from there to Iowa County, Wisconsin. She was left fatherless at the age of 11 years, he having died in California in '49, from exposure while crossing the plains. For several years after this her home was at Galena, Ill, and at the age of 16 she returned to Ohio, where two years of her life was spent. In 1857 she moved with her mother to Richmond, Iowa, where she was married 3 Mar 1859, to Jesse Bunker of that place. Five children were born to her, the oldest, Adda Alleyea, dying at the age of 1 1/2 years. In 1866 she came to Blaine, and has lived here continuously since.

She was a woman of great strength of character which was strongly felt in the whole community in the early pioneer days. Kind, sympathetic and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in distress until failing health deprived her of that pleasure, then her whole sole was given to cheer and comfort the family, whom she realized she would soon leave. A neighbor who was with her a great deal during the last few weeks of her life, aptly said: "She certainly has the sweetest disposition of anyone I ever saw," which was, indeed true, as complaints were few and cheering words many. Physicians did not agree as to the cause of her death, some pronouncing it to be an abcess on the liver, while others said pulmonary tuberculosis had been developed. Funeral services were held sunday at the house at 10 a.m., Mrs. Ella Hopkins of Bear Lake, having charge of the services, and the body laid to rest in south Frankfort Cemetery. Music was furnished by a ladies' quartette of Arcadia, who sang "Lead kindly light,' and "Waiting.' Miss Stella Cady also sang "Calvary" as a solo. Mrs. Bunker is survived by one brother, her husband, and four children, Forest, Torance, Mrs. W.H. Thacker, and Miss Marium Bunker, who have the greatest sympathy of all in their great bereavement.


(Submitted by Kathy)